uaint Bits 



Lowell Histor 



SARA SWAN GRIFFIN 




PRESENTED BV 



QUAINT BITS OF 
LOWELL HISTORY 

A FEW INTERESTING STORIES 
OF EARLIER DAYS 



By Sara Swan Griffin 



Illustrated 



LOWELL 

BUTTERFIELD PRINTING COMPANY 

MDCCCCXIII. 









^."YW.CbcJLlt^v 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Old Homes and Historic Byways of Lowell 

Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

Lowell's Share in the Battle of Bunker Hill 

The Story of Wannalancet 

Col. Marie Louis Amand Ansart De Marisquelles. 
A Friend of Lafayette. 



Old Homes and Historic Byways 
of Lowell 



Old Homes and Historic Byways 
of Lowell 



The spot on which the city of Lowell now stands is not 
without historic interest. The wigwams of the Indians or the 
scattered homes of the early English settlers at one time 
stood where now are almost innumerable industries or spacious 
streets and residences. 

And before all memory of the early inhabitants of this 
locality has faded away and all knowledge of the old traditions 
has been lost from among us, it may be both wise and interest- 
ing to make in fancy a circuit of our city, and with the "Old 
Highway to the Merrimack" as a starting point, to revive an 
interest in a few of the nearly forgotten homes and lives of 
those who made it possible for the Lowell of today to be in 
existence. 

In 1659 we find the term "Highway to the Merrimack" 
first mentioned in certain old Chelmsford deeds. It was no 
doubt the old road to Golden Cove, but the Lowell end is now 
called Stedman street. Originally the road turned down by 
Mt. Pleasant Spring, but later it was straightened out through 
Stedman and Baldwin streets to the river. 

About 1655 we find the first record of any English in- 
habitants of what is now the city of Lowell, seven or eight 
families having settled in the vicinity of the "Old Highway," 
attracted to the spot by its proximity to the river and the fact 
that land had been cleared here by the Indians. 

Rude as were the surroundings of these first settlers, 
and adverse as were the circumstances under which they labored, 
they yet found time to remember the "beginnings of wisdom," 
for as early as 1699 we find that the wife of John Wright, living 



Old Homes and Byways 

in this neighborhood, was authorized to hold at her house a 
"dame school" to "learne young persons to Reed and write," as 
the old record quaintly puts it. 

A short distance from the "Old Highway" on what is 
now called Wood street is the Sewall Bowers house, which is 
doubtless the oldest building in our city. The farm has been 
in the possession of the Bowers family since the first settlement 
of Chelmsford, and is mentioned in the early records as having 
been a rendezvous for the colonists in times of danger, and for 
neighborly conference. Also as early as 1686, a "still" was 
licensed at this place for the manufacture of "strong waters" 
that may be sold to "Christians but not to Indians." The 
numerous foot-paths that may even yet be traced to the old 
Bowers house show that the early settlers made the most of 
their privileges. 

Opposite the foot of Wood street, and on the bank of 
the river, was erected in 1675 by Major Hinchman a "Garrison 
House," which was used as a place of safety for the families 
in this section during King Phillip's War and the later skirmishes 
with the Indians. Not a trace is left of the old log structure, 
but memory still retains the story of how the neighboring 
farmers, with their wives and little ones, hastened to the old 
house for shelter when rumors of the attacks by Indians in 
the adjoining towns filled their hearts with horror and dismay. 
Remains of an old well have been found near this site and 
tradition connects it with the old "Garrison House." 

Farther down on the bank of the Merrimack with its 
grounds gently sloping to the river's edge, stands what is called 
today the "Middlesex Hotel," but in the early Colonial days 
bore the title of "Clark's Tavern." As early as 1728, Captain 
Jonas Clark was the genial inn-keeper, a man of prominence 
and a descendant of Rev. Thomas Clark of Chelmsford. Cap- 
tain Clark was succeeded in the tavern by his son Timothy who 

10 







Site*. 






THE OLD DURKEE HOTSE 



Old Homes and Byways 

kept up the old customs and traditions of the house. We may 
aptly borrow Longfellow's lines to describe this once famous 
place of entertainment: 

"As ancient is this hostelry, 
As any in the land, may be, 
Built in the old Colonial days, 
When men lived in a grander way 
With ampler hospitality." 

This tavern was near Clark's Ferry and was a popular 
resort for the fashionable and distinguished people of the day. 
The carriages of Lowell's wealthiest families at the present 
time cannot compare in grandeur to the coaches with armorial 
bearings which rolled up to that hospitable door in the old 
Colonial days. Among its guests have been Lafayette, Hancock, 
and scores of other notabilities, and the brilliancy of the dinner 
parties given within its walls in the days of its early grandeur 
can hardly be excelled even in the luxury of this generation. 

Crossing the Merrimack river by the means of Clark's 
Ferry to the opposite shore, and proceeding along Ferry Road, 
we come to the old Durkee house. The date of the erection 
of this house is a matter of dispute. It is on, or near, the site 
of the John Webb house, built about 1660, and may have been 
the original home of this prominent settler whose possessions 
were vast for that period. Its architecture shows it to be of 
Colonial times, and the many interesting traditions connected 
with its history give it an air of romance. From one of its 
upper rooms, it is said, the early colonists resisted an attack 
of the prowling Mohawks at the time of King Phillip's War, and 
also from one of its windows the horrified inmates saw the 
murder of the two Varnum boys by the Indians, as they 
were crossing the Merrimack river in their canoe. The 
so-called Durkee house was the most pretentious of its time 
in this location and was always used as a place of ren- 
dezvous by the neighboring colonists. Also in later years 



Old Homes and Byways 

as a tavern of good and notable repute, for by its door passed 
the stages and stately carriages, whose occupants were travelling 
down from New Hampshire to Boston. Here in 1776 the 
neighbors came to listen to the sound of the firing of the cannon 
at Bunker Hill, and the old hall, in which doubtless they were 
gathered, still retains its original features — the smooth hard 
floor for dancing, and the raised benches on which the guests 
sat, and looked on as the red-cheeked girls and the sturdy farmer 
boys danced the old country reels. 

The "Old Meadow Road," at a later date, ran down to 
the river and by means of Clark's Ferry one could cross to the 
Chelmsford side. On this old road, now hardly more than a 
path, stood the "Ministree," the home of the first minister of 
Dracut, the Rev. Thomas Parker. In this house also lived for 
some years the noble French exile, Colonel Marie Louis Amand 
Ansart De Maresquelles, and to this house in 1784 came Lafay- 
ette to visit his old-time friend and comrade in the military 
circles of France. 

Colonel Marie Louis Amand Ansart De Maresquelles, 
a member of the French Court, a son of a Marquis, and nephew 
of the great French Marquis Montalembert, came to America 
in 1776. Because of the valuable secret which he disclosed 
to the Colonial government in regard to the manufacture 
of solid cannon, he was appointed by this government as 
Colonel of Artillery and Inspector General of the Foundries 
of Massachusetts, and in such capacity he served until the close 
of the Revolutionary War. On account of political troubles in 
France, Colonel De Maresquelles decided to adopt America as 
his country, and laying aside his noble rank, he was naturalized 
in the courts of Massachusetts, under the name of Louis Ansart. 
Choosing Dracut for his home, Colonel Ansart lived in this 
quiet country town until his death in 1804. He is buried in 
what is now known as Woodbine Cemetery, and which he had 

12 



Old Homes and Byways 

apportioned from his farm and given to Dracut for a "Burying 
Ground" for the use of the Ansarts, Coburns and Varnums, 
and where, after "life's fitful fever," he sleeps as calmly on the 
rugged New England hillside as if he lay in the ancestral tomb 
in sunny France. 

On a lane off Varnum Avenue, formerly a part of the 
Old Meadow Road, is the old Varnum homestead. Built 
probably about 1700, it has sheltered seven generations of Var- 
nums, and it stands today in dignified seclusion, a type of the 
early homes of the prosperous colonists. No transfer by deed 
has been passed of the Varnum property since the early grant 
from John Webb to Samuel Varnum in 1664, and the name of 
Varnum has always been prominently associated with all the 
political, church and social life of Dracut. 

On Varnum Avenue, near the terminus of the electric 
car line, stands a small building known as the Coburn Mission. 
It was the first school house built in the town of Dracut and 
was erected in 1755. As that part of Dracut has been now 
annexed to Lowell, it is the oldest school building within the 
limits of this city. In this little building a great part of the 
business of the colonists in this neighborhood was transacted, 
and tradition records that, at the time of the Revolution, the 
Committee of Safety met within its walls. 

On the road leading from Pawtucketville to the Navy 
Yard is the site of the famous Garrison House of Dracut. It 
was built about 1669 by Edward Colburn as a place of protection 
for the early settlers against the hostile Indians. The old 
histories of Dracut tell of some fiery encounters at the old 
Garrison House and of one woman, who single-handed, defended 
herself and children against an attacking party of Indians. The 
old house has been torn down and it seems sad that such an 
interesting memento of the early New England life should have 
been destroyed. 

13 



Old Homes and Byways 

Retracing our steps through this part of Lowell which 
was formerly a historic neighborhood of Dracut, and re-crossing 
the river at Clark's Ferry, we reach the spot that was the head 
of the "Old Middlesex Canal." For its time, this enterprise was 
a wonderful feat of engineering and was the first canal in the 
United States opened for the transportation of travellers, and 
until the introduction of railroads, the Middlesex Canal was 
of great public benefit. Lumber and grain from the upper Merri- 
mack, with other products of the country, found their way 
through the canal to Boston where they were exchanged for 
the commodities of the city, which were transferred back by 
means of the canal into the country. But in a few years after 
the completion of the railroads, the canal was discontinued, and 
now nearly all traces of it are obliterated. 

Not far from the head of the Canal, the "Old Highway" 
touches Middlesex street, and on it is found all that is left of 
the once famous Chelmsford Glass Works. These works were 
established here in 1802 by Boston manufacturers and at one 
time made a prominent industry in the little town of Chelmsford. 
But now, not a vestige remains of the dismal old wooden factory, 
black with the smoke of the big furnaces. One of the tenement 
houses is still standing that were built by the glass company, and 
it causes one to think of an unhappy ghost, doomed to haunt the 
scene of its former prosperity. 

On another old road now known as Pine street is seen 
the Henry Parker house, opposite the Highland School. No 
other family but the Parkers has been in possession of this 
estate since the Indians sold their claims to Wamesit, yet it 
is impossible to decide when the first Parker set up his home 
on the present attractive site. But one Benjamin Parker, the 
record of whose birth is given as 1663, is supposed to have been 
the first of the family to locate here. In the early Indian 

14 



Old Homes and Byways 

struggles, and also in the Revolutionary War, young men have 
gone forth from this homestead to perform their part with valor 
and bravery. 

Following the old lane over which childish feet passed 
and re-passed so many years ago to the little red schoolhouse 
that stood near what is now the corner of School and Westford 
streets, we recall that one of the pupils in this school was 
Benjamin Pierce, afterwards governor of New Hampshire and 
father of Franklin Pierce, President of the United States. 

School street, which takes its name from this "ancient 
seat of learning," winds along by the old cemetery over the hill 
to Pawtucket street, near what was once the residence of Captain 
John Ford, famous in our Revolutionary history. 

When the alarm was sounded April 19th, 1775, Captain 
Ford was at work in the saw-mill which was near his house. 
Hastening to his home for the necessary equipments, he started 
at once for Chelmsford Centre, to join the company that went 
from there. Captain Ford also served at Bunker Hill, and 
Ticonderoga and marched against Burgoyne.. 

After the war had closed, Captain Ford resumed business 
at his saw-mill, furnishing lumber for the building of many 
notable houses of the day. He also built for himself a much 
more pretentious residence on the site of his early home. And 
with no material changes, it has always been occupied by his 
descendants, among them being the present occupants of the 
house, Mrs. Mary Earl Wood and Miss Josephine Earl. 

In the same spacious grounds and on the site of the old 
barn belonging to the original estate, is the residence of Mrs. 
Henry Lambert who is a direct descendant of Captain Ford of 
the third generation from him. 

The original home of Captain Ford was moved to the 
corner of School and Pawtucket streets, across the road from 

15 



Old Homes and Byways 

its early resting place and became the home of Elisha Ford, who 
kept for many years the little store adjoining it. Both house 
and store are practically unchanged in appearance since the 
early days. 

The shop and yard were used for storing the immense 
quantities of shad which had been taken from the Merrimack 
river during the Spring fishing season and which were after- 
wards sold to the neighboring farmers who spread them on the 
land to enrich the soil. 

The name of Ford is strongly associated in so many 
ways with the history of our city that it will not soon be for- 
gotten. In the little Burying Ground opposite Pawtucketville 
Church is found the grave of Captain John Ford, to reach which, 
his funeral procession passed over the old bridge of which he had 
been one of the chief owners and promoters. 

Next below the Ford House is the Spalding Homestead, 
now owned by the Molly Varnum Chapter D. A. R. This house 
was built about 1760 by Robert Hildreth, and during the early 
history of the house it seems to have changed owners quite 
frequently, having been the property of seven different men 
in succession before it was purchased as a home by Mr. Joel 
Spalding in 1790, thirty years after its erection. One of its 
owners was Captain Ford, who lived in the adjoining house. 

At one time the house was known as the Davis Tavern 
and was largely patronized by the raftsmen and loggers who 
floated their logs down the river from the New Hampshire 
forests, and stopped at this tavern for rest and refreshment be- 
fore starting again on the river-drive to the sea. 

Following the Merrimack river along its restless way, 
we remember that where the French-American Orphanage now 
stands, formerly the home of Frederick Ayer on Pawtucket 
street, was once the wigwam of Wannalancet, and around the 
deep pools at Pawtucket Falls gathered the Merrimack Valley 
Indians in the fishing season. Their camping grounds spread 

16 



Old Homes and Byways 

over a large part of what is now Pawtucketville, and where 
the Textile School now stands was one of their favorite rest- 
ing places. Numerous arrow-heads and other Indian weapons, 
also stone mortars and curious cooking utensils have been found 
near its site. 

A century and a half after all but the memory of the 
Indian dwellers on this spot had been swept away, a Mr. Phineas 
Whiting had both a residence and a grocery store on the lower 
corner of School and Pawtucket streets. 

When one passes by the immense buildings of the French- 
American Orphanage today, with its beautiful grounds orna- 
mented with religious symbols, it is hard indeed to realize that 
scarcely a hundred years ago this corner was the rendezvous of 
the hardy farmers of Dracut and Chelmsford, coming here to 
trade with the keen old proprietor who boasted that everything 
needful could be found in his store from molasses to a parlor- 
organ. 

Passing by what, at a later period, were the Cheever and 
Fletcher Farms, we pause a moment at the bounds of the latter 
to note that on Worthen street, which passes through the original 
Fletcher Farm, was born in 1832, James Abbott McNeil Whistler, 
the noted artist, in the house now the property of the Lowell Art 
Association. 

Above the junction of the Concord and Merrimack rivers 
where Central Bridge is located, was maintained for many 
years, a ferry, well known in local history as Bradley's Ferry. 
It was in use according to the early records in 1737 and probably 
many years previous to that date. It was owned and managed 
by Joseph Bradley who also built Barron's Hotel situated near 
the ferry landing. The old house is still standing on First 
street and was known for many years as the Centralville House. 

Following the main highway to Dracut, near what is now 
West Fourth street, one passes the former residence of Ezra 

17 



Old Homes and Byways 

Worthen, from whom Worthen street received its name, and 
who, the early mill records state, "came from Amesbury to 
East Chelmsford to have charge of the Merrimack Manufactur- 
ing Company." Mr. Worthen was a contemporary and intimate 
friend of Paul Moody and Kirk Boott and his home was a 
stately and substantial mansion befitting his position. 

Farther up Bridge street is a building which for many 
years has been known as the "Wire Works," but in its days of 
pristine grandeur stood where now is the Varnum Grammar 
School and was the famous "Dracut Academy." 

The old academy has guarded within its walls, as pupils, 
men and women who afterwards became notable influences in 
the life of both State and Nation. 

The stately home at the corner of Myrtle and Sixth 
streets, in past years known as the "Water Cure," was utilized 
as a boarding house for out-of-town pupils to the Academy in 
the height of its popularity. 

On Hildreth street, although not on its original site, is 
the "Hildreth Homestead," built in 1784 by Lieutenant Israel 
Hildreth, who served his country both on sea and land during 
the Revolutionary War. His aged father Elijah Hildreth closed 
his days in this house and here was born Dr. Israel Hildreth, 
for many years the leading physician in all this region. Hon. 
Fisher Hildreth, who held many important state and town offices, 
was of the fourth generation of the Hildreths who had lived in 
this old homestead, and the name of Hildreth stands out pre- 
eminent in the Colonial and Revolutionary life of Dracut. 

Retracing our footsteps, we pass the ancient "Hildreth 
Burying Ground," given to the town of Dracut by Lieutenant 
Hildreth and which up to the present day has been the final 
resting place of many members of this historic family. 

Near where are now the immense manufactories of the 
Boott Cotton Mills stood in 1674 an humble log cabin. Here, the 



Old Homes and Byways 

Indian magistrate Numphow, held a monthly court, and to this 
cabin, every May for many years, came Judge Gookin who used it 
as his court house in the settlement of the important grievances 
and offences among the Indians of Wamesit. 

Over a hundred years ago, a few steps from what is now 
Merrimack Square, was the Nathan Tyler house, surrounded by 
far-reaching and fertile fields. The farm was of large extent 
embracing land now occupied by the Carpet Mills and reach- 
ing beyond Palmer street. It is difficult to transform the scene 
of Lowell's greatest activity to-day with its rush of electric cars, 
its busy mills and crowded lodging houses, and the constant 
tread of hurrying feet, into the quietness of the "green pastures 
and still waters" that the same sun shone down upon a century 
ago. The house, which was one of the most pretentious of 
its time, was built by Mr. Nathan Tyler from lumber prepared 
by him at his sawmill at Pawtucket Falls. Here, Mr. Tyler, 
with his goodly family of seven sons and three daughters, dwelt 
for a number of years, and today his numerous descendants are 
among Lowell's most honored citizens. Finally Mr. Tyler 
sold a part of this estate to the originators of the Merrimack 
Manufacturing Company and built another residence at Middle- 
sex Village which still bears the title of the "Tyler Homestead," 
and is now occupied by Mrs. Samuel Tyler and her daughter 
Miss Susan Tyler, the ladies who were the donors to this city of 
the magnificent gift of Tyler Park. 

After the purchase of the Nathan Tyler home by the 
Merrimack Company, the old house was converted into a hotel 
and became known as the "Old Mansion House." Captain 
Jonathan Tyler had the hospitable charge of the "Mansion 
House" for a term of years, and under his management the hotel 
became of great importance in the life of the new and thriving 
town, and was the scene of many a festive gathering, but the 
increasing encroachments of the mill properties in its neighbor- 

19 



Old Homes and Byways 

hood eventually caused the removal of the old hotel. Part of 
it stands now at the corner of Salem and Dane streets, a re- 
minder of "Auld Lang Syne." 

Farther up the hill on the site which St. John's Hospital 
now occupies and of which it has become a part, was a stately 
structure in the early days of Lowell, which at different epochs 
in its history was called the "Gedney House," the "Old Yellow 
House" and the "Livermore Mansion." The land on which 
it stood was part of the original grant to Madam Winthrop, wife 
of Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts. The house was erected 
about 1750 by one Timothy Brown, the heavy lumber for its 
construction being obtained of Captain Ford at his sawmill near 
Pawtucket Falls, but the interior wood work was prepared in 
England and then shipped to this country. 

After changing owners once or twice, the estate came into 
the possession of Phillip Gedney, a former British Consul who 
had left his home for political reasons and who chose this place 
for his residence, and lived here for a number of years. 

Then after varying experiences, one of which was the use 
of the old house as a tavern, it found another purchaser in Judge 
Edward St. Loe Livermore. At this period, the estate consisted 
of about two hundred acres of land, which, enclosing the imposing 
mansion standing on a high elevation laid out with spacious 
lawns and avenues, made a truly magnificent home for its dig- 
nified owner. 

Judge Livermore named his estate "Belvidere," a title 
which now embraces all the surrounding suburb. The members 
of Judge Livermore's family were distinguished for brilliancy 
of intellect and strength of character. But the memory of the 
gifted yet erratic daughter of the house, Harriet Livermore, who 
was immortalized by Whittier in "Snow-Bound" will make it 
impossible for Lowell residents to ever allow the fame of the old 




THE OLD I.IYKRMORR HOUSE 



Old Homes and Byways 

"Livermore Mansion" to sink into oblivion. These are the words 
written of her by Whittier : 

"A women tropical, intense 
In thought and act, in soul and sense ! 
She blended in a like degree 
The vixen and the devotee ! 
Since then, what old cathedral town 
Has missed her pilgrim staff and gown ! 
What convent gate has held its lock 
Against the challenge of her knock ! 
And still, unrestful, bowed, and gray. 
She watches under Eastern skies, 
With hope each day renewed and fresh, 
The Lord's quick coming in the flesh, 
Whereof she dreams and prophesies !" 

Following the Merrimack river along what is now known 
as Andover street, we find at its junction with the Old County 
Road, the Moses Worcester farm. This farm was purchased in 
1748 of Samuel Hunt by Moses Worcester and a portion of it 
has remained in the possession of his descendants to this day. 
Near what was the site of the original farm house is the 
residence of Mrs. Richard W. Baker and family, of direct descent 
from Moses Worcester. On the opposite side of the road and 
in a remarkable state of preservation is the house built in 1802 
by a grandson of the original owner, Eldad Worcester. The 
Worcester family bore a prominent part in the church as well as 
in the town affairs of Tewksbury. 

Turning off from Andover street is what is now known 
as Clark Road, but was for many years in the early history of 
Tewksbury but a bridle path to the church and settlement. This 
road runs through the territory which in 1691 Samuel Hunt 
bought from the heirs of Madam Winthrop. In the old records 
is found a copy of the deed from Joseph Hunt to Captain Jonas 
Clark of Clark's Tavern, who bought one hundred acres of this 
territory in 1737 as a gift to his son Thomas. The original 
Clark house was in a field west of Clark Road and from its door 
Lieutenant Thomas Clark responded to the alarm of the 19th of 



Old Homes and Byways 

April and led the company from North Tewksbury to the scene 
of action. In 1790 a more pretentious house was built on Clark 
Road, and this property has been continually in the possession 
of the Clark family since its original purchase. The old house, 
guarded by sheltering trees, gives promise to withstand the 
ravages of time for many years to come. In this home 
Lieutenant Thomas Clark ended his days and now rests from 
his deeds of valor in the old Clark Burying Ground, but a short 
distance from the house. 

In Colonial times, the Hunt Garrison House stood on 
the hill overlooking the farm, but the only vestige that remains 
of its history is a hearth-stone brought from its ruins and now 
standing in the yard of the old Clark House. 

Farther down this historic old road are two picturesque 
homes over which a century has passed, apparently leaving them 
unchanged from their early days : — the residence of the late 
Joshua Clark, and the Hunt Homestead. Until a very recent 
date the Hunt property has not been out of possession of the 
Hunt family since the original purchase by Samuel Hunt in 
1 69 1 from the estate of Madam Winthrop. 

Retracing our steps to the Concord river, we stop a 
moment to gaze on its placid surface, trying to picture to our- 
selves the period when its banks were the rendezvous of Indians 
who came in tribes to gather fish from its generous bosom. The 
good Eliot and Gookin are said to have taken advantage of 
these fishing seasons to improve the spiritual and moral con- 
dition of the Indians, and from Massic Island they told their 
dusky listeners of the "Great Father." Not only the Indians but 
the English settlers found in the waters of the Concord and 
Merrimack an abundant supply of fish — the rivers at that time 
teeming with salmon, shad and alewives. But instead of the rude 
devices used by the Indians, the fish were taken in great numbers 



Old Homes and Byways 

in nets and seines. Alas! the old fishing spots are no more 
available and their traditions are all that remain. 

Before leaving the Belvidere side of the river, we must 
speak of Fort Hill Park, which received its name from the fact 
that Wannalancet, the last Sachem of the Merrimack Valley 
Indians, built a fort here as a protection against his enemies, the 
Mohawks. For many years this park was a yearly rendezvous 
of the Indians, and it is interesting to remember when visiting 
this spot, where landscape artists with most consummate taste and 
skill have ornamented the grounds with shrubs and foliage, that 
here, once the painted savage in war-like array, crouched in 
ambush behind a rocky barricade, waiting an attack from deadly 
foes, and that where now are conventional fountains and a 
brilliant display of cultivated flowers, the Indians drank the 
water bubbling from the ground, and lay at rest on the grassy 
banks of the hill. 

Nearly a mile from the old Concord Ferry, following the 
line of what is now Central and Appleton street, stands the Eliot 
Congregational Church, built near the site of the log cabin where 
the Indian preacher "Samuel" taught his crude ideas of the 
Christian's God, to his tribesmen, in weekly meetings, and where 
the missionary John Eliot preached with fervor and eloquence 
to the Red Men of the "Great Father" over all. 

Continuing on an old road that at one time touched Hale 
street there is found a massive boulder that marks the site of the 
"Old Rock Tavern," once the homestead of Benjamin Butterfield. 
The Butterfield farm extended on both sides of the old Chelms- 
ford Road for a long distance, and embraced a large portion of 
what is now known as Ayer's City. This property has descended 
through several generations of Butterfields and tracts of it are 
still held by members of the family. 

23 



Old Homes and Byways 

Not far from this locality, on what is now Gorham street, 
is the original Osgood House, still owned by descendants of the 
first settler of that name in Chelmsford. 

When on the memorable April 19th, 1775, the alarm was 
given "through every Middlesex village and farm, for the 
country folk to be up and to arm," a young man went out from 
this house to give his life, if need be, in the cause of Freedom. 

At the junction of Gorham and upper Central streets is a 
small square now called "Davis' Corner." One must, indeed, 
possess a vivid imagination to picture the old farmhouse and 
fertile acres owned by one Elisha Davis, in the early days of 
Chelmsford, which gave this place its present name. 

The original little old building was replaced in time by a 
more modern farmhouse which is still visible although sur- 
rounded by tenements and stores. 

One wonders, as the noisy crowds pass to and fro, if the 
old house remembers the peaceful quiet of the "long ago." 

Rushing along as if anxious to cast off old memories and 
become a part of the busy present is an ancient water-way of 
this neighborhood, now widely known as "Hale's Brook." 

On its banks in 1790, Moses Hale who had taken to wife 
a daughter from the Davis farmhouse, built the first woolen mill 
ever started in Middlesex County. The building is still standing 
but is now used as a tenement house. This small beginning was 
the nucleus of what became in after years, large and prosperous 
industries, including the woolen mill, a lumber business and the 
manufacture of gun powder. 

As his business prospered, Mr. Hale also built in this 
vicinity a large mansion, afterwards owned by Joshua Swan 
and his heirs, and which remained a prominent landmark in that 
locality until about two score years ago. The house was three 
stories high with brick ends and heavily timbered. People 
gathered from all the neighboring towns to view the raising of 

24 



Old Homes and Byways 

the immense structure. Tables were spread on the extensive 
grounds for their refreshment and the "raising" was made a 
time of general festivity. The event was considered of great 
importance at that date and has passed into the annals of Lowell. 

In later years, Mr Oliver Whipple, the son-in-law of Mr. 
Hale became associated with him in business and continued the 
same when Mr. Hale retired. The powder business was enlarged 
from time to time and finally reached the efficiency of producing 
a million pounds of gunpowder in one year. The fame of these 
works grew to such an extent that the Governor of Massuchusetts 
and his Council made an official visit to them. 

Mr. Whipple shipped cargoes of gunpowder to the East 
Indies and other foreign markets, and it became necessary to 
have a base of supplies near Boston. Accordingly Mr. Whipple 
purchased Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor as a place of 
storage for the gunpowder. He also built a road from his 
factory, still known as "Whipple's Road," connecting with the 
old "Boston Road," over which his teams could pass without 
interruption on their way to Boston. 

In these days of rapid transportation by means of rail- 
roads and automobile trucks, it may be interesting to note the 
means employed by Mr. Whipple in sending this most dangerous 
product of his factory to Boston. 

At midnight, when there was but little passing and small 
danger of collision, immense four horse loads of gunpowder 
were started on their journey. The hoofs of the horses were 
muffled in bagging and cotton pads so that their iron shoes 
should strike no sparks from the stones in the roads and thus 
ignite the powder. 

Slowly and steadily the great horses marched down the 
unfrequented by-ways, as far as possible, until they reached 
Boston, from which point the gunpowder was taken, a boat load 
at a time, to the island in the harbor. 

25 



Old Homes and Byways 

Mr. Whipple was the principal factor in developing the 
southwestern section of our city. His former home is still stand- 
ing on Moore street and occupied by his descendants. 

On the opposite side of Moore street from the Whipple 
Homestead, is a little one story cottage which was the original 
home of the Moore family through whose farm Moore street 
was laid out. The cottage is of colonial date and sent forth de- 
fenders of our Independence in the Revolutionary War. 

A short distance from Hale's Mill following the "Old 
Salem Road" is Parker street, which has an interest for us in 
that it is one of the oldest highways within the boundaries of 
Lowell and also because the "Old Marshall Tavern" is on this 
street. It stands on a slight elevation, and with the extensive 
grounds in the rear and the ancient poplars in front, differs but 
little in appearance from the time of its erection about 1790, and 
it is not difficult for us to fancy the stout country teams, loaded 
with produce and driven by sturdy farmers who have left their 
homes weary hours before, stopping at the hospitable entrance 
for "refreshment for man and beast" ere they continue their 
journey to Salem. The old house has resounded with laughter 
and hearty greetings, and even now has a mellow cast of 
countenance as if musing over some of the old jokes. But alas ! 
hosts and guests have all gone long ago beyond that "bourne 
from which no traveller returns." The "Old Marshall Tomb," 
across the road from the tavern, opened its portals to receive 
all that was mortal of "mine hosts," and stood for over a century 
a reminder of old fashions and customs, but the hand of the 
destroyer has reached even that and the old tomb is no more. 

A short by-path leads from the old tavern to Chelmsford 
street. It was in this neighborhood that Benjamin Pierce lived 
until manhood. His home was with his uncle whose house stood 
near the site of the farm belonging to the Orlando Blodgett 
estate, and whose farm embraced a generous extent of the sur- 

26 



Old Homes and Byways 

rounding country. When the signal of alarm was given April 
19th, 1775, Benjamin Pierce was ploughing in a field off Powell 
street. Hitching his team of steers to a stump, he took his gun 
and started for Concord on foot. He served through the 
Revolutionary War, and afterward went to New Hampshire to 
live, and \Tas twice elected Governor of that state. He often re- 
visited his early home, taking great pleasure in showing the 
historic stump on Powell street. 

As we follow the old winding Chelmsford Road, passing 
by the boundaries of the original Chamberlain, Pierce and Coburn 
farms, we can almost see the ''embattled farmers" of over a 
century ago, as they hurried along its grassy way to join their 
friends and neighbors in the great struggle for liberty. 

But at "Golden Cove" we again find the "Old Highway 
to the Merrimack" which warns us that we have at length com- 
pleted, however falteringly and imperfectly, the circuit of our 
city. 

"Old things indeed have passed away," yet they cannot 
be quite forgotten, for though they have "no speech nor 
language," yet are their voices heard in the streets. 



21 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 



When we read in history of the deportation of the 
Acadians in 1755, which is called unto this day "The Great 
French Derangement" by the natives of Nova Scotia, and 
on which the familiar and pathetic poem of Longfellow's 
"Evangeline" is founded, the thought rarely occurs to the dwellers 
of this busy materialistic city of Lowell that in any way are we 
connected with that saddest of episodes, and the most tragic and 
brutal outrage that mars the annals of the history of the New 
World. 

And yet in the ships that sailed away from Boston 
Harbor bearing troops under the command of Colonel Winslow, 
whose ostensible object was to resist the further encroachments 
of the French in Nova Scotia, were men from all the adjacent 
towns of what is now Lowell, men who serving loyally their 
country and King were yet kept in ignorance that the real object 
of the expedition was to devastate and lay waste the homes of 
fair Acadia. On the transports that returned from that fatal 
expedition were the unfortunate French Neutrals, torn from 
their fatherland, their prosperous farms and fertile vineyards, 
to be dispersed among the English colonies. In nearly all of 
our neighboring towns were placed numbers of these un- 
fortunates, and before all memory and all historical proof of 
their existence among us fades entirely away, it has been 
thought wise to revive as far as possible the incidents of their 
visitation among us that future generations of our children may 
read with a clearer meaning, the never to be forgotten tale of 
the fair and sorrowing Evangeline. 

33 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

Perhaps a brief account of the condition, politically and 
socially, of affairs in Nova Scotia prior to the abduction of the 
Acadians may partially explain, although not justify, this almost 
unparalleled act of the English Government. 

The name Acadia is derived from the French Acadie, the 
title given in one of the early grants to a river in what is now 
Nova Scotia. In 1603 there is a record of a settlement com- 
menced by the French in this territory and Monsieur De Ments 
the Governor, gave the name Acadia to all of what is now 
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In 1621, this district was 
granted by charter to Sir William Alexander of the Kingdom of 
Great Britain, who renamed the territory New or Nova Scotia, 
but in poetry and song the original name of Acadia still lingers, 
although in the many disputes between the colonists of England 
and France the territory changed masters many times and the 
boundaries were widened or narrowed according to the respec- 
tive views of the opposing parties. 

The most definite settlement of the disputes, skirmishes 
and warfare between the hostile colonists of England and France 
was made in 171 3, by the memorable treaty signed at Utrecht 
when Acadia and Newfoundland were ceded to England by 
France, but the right of France to fortify Cape Breton and still 
maintain fisheries on the coast of Newfoundland were embodied 
in certain articles of this treaty and reads as follows : — 

"All Nova Scotia or Acadia with its ancient 
boundaries as also the city of Port Royal, the island 
of Newfoundland with the adjacent islands, the 
town and island of Placentia and whatever other 
places in the island are in possession of the French, 
shall from this time forward, belong of right 
wholly to Great Britain. But the island of Cape 
Breton as also all others both in the mouth of the 
river St. Lawrence and in the Gulf of the same 
shall hereafter belong to the King of France who 
shall have liberty to fortify any place or places there. 



34 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

The provisions of this treaty caused great rejoicing in 
the province of New England, but brought dismay to the hearts 
of the French inhabitants of Nova Scotia — the Acadians, as 
they seemed to be delivered into the hands of their ancient foes, 
the English. 

Immediately after the cession of this territory to England, 
the newly appointed English Governor tried fruitlessly several 
times to induce the Acadians to take an oath of allegiance to 
England, but this they refused to do, fearing that they might be 
called on to take up arms against their French brethren in case 
there was war between England and France. The English 
government did not care to use force in the matter as they 
feared that the Acadians might leave the island and go to Cape 
Breton and strengthen the French possessions there and to this 
course the French Governor of Louisburg was urgently entreat- 
ing the Acadians. But they were attached to the fertile farms 
which for several generations had descended from father to 
son as was the patriarchal custom of their forefathers and they 
dreaded removal to a new country. But the Acadians assured 
the French Governor if any attempt were made to interfere 
with the free exercise of their religion they would abandon all 
their possessions and go to Cape Breton. In 1719, six years 
after the treaty of Utrecht, the Acadians consented to take what 
might be termed a qualified oath of allegiance, upon the most 
solemn assurance that "they should not be compelled to bear 
arms against the French and permitted the free exercise of their 
religion," and from this time forth they went by the name of 
the "French Neutrals." 

It was but natural that the English authorities of Nova 
Scotia, for so long the avowed foes of France, should regard 
with suspicion the French inhabitants of the island : — the savages 
from whose inroads and attacks the English colonists had suffered 
so bitterly were sworn allies and friends of the French : — they 



35 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

were also of an alien and hated religion : — and entirely under the 
influence of the Jesuit missionaries sent to them from Louisburg, 
and speaking a language almost unknown to their Governors, 
they became the objects of distrust and jealousy. 

The writer of this article has been at some pains to secure 
the English point of view of affairs at this period and in a History 
of the Provinces, published in London by Richard Brown, 
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, has been found a 
very unprejudiced and impartial record. He says "When Colonel 
Phillips was appointed Governor of Nova Scotia, he was greatly 
surprised on his arrival in that province to find that the French 
inhabitants lived as if they were still subjects of France, that 
they were furnished with priests from Louisburg, and kept up 
a regular communication with their countrymen in Cape Breton." 

The fact of the Acadians being in constant communica- 
tion with the French in Canada and the other settlements, was 
probably the cause of more and more rigorous measures being 
enacted in regard to their government. In time they were de- 
barred from holding any office of trust in the colony, robbed of 
their right of representation and formally excluded from the 
right of adjudication in the courts of justice. 

But so amicably did this gentle people live among them- 
selves, that as respected each other, such measures made but 
little difference ; they were accustomed to put their title deeds 
and wills into the hands of their pastors for safe keeping, and 
in any dispute among themselves to be governed by his advice. 
In spite of the harsh measures meted out to them, the Acadians 
as a people seemed disposed to submit cheerfully to the govern- 
ment that they now comprehended was to control them. Indeed 
with many of them, there was an indignant feeling at being de- 
serted by their French King and irrevocably made over to their 
ancient enemy and this feeling disposed them to submit more 
cheerfully. And for the next thirty years, in spite of certain 
injustices and harassments, they prospered and multiplied. 

36 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

But the tranquillity which the colonies had enjoyed since 
the treaty of Utrecht was broken in 1744 by the war between 
England and France brought on by the inter-meddling of Eng- 
land with affairs in the continent, and the French Governor of 
Louisburg at once made an attack on Nova Scotia but was un- 
successful in his designs. It was supposed by the French com- 
mander that all the Acadians would join in this attack on the 
English, but such was not the case. The English historian to 
whom I have formerly referred says, "The Acadians had lived 
so long under the mild and judicious sway of the different 
English Governors that they had no desire to change and re- 
mained quiet on their farms, and, during the siege of Louisburg 
and the four years' war, ending in the Treaty of Aix la Chapelle, 
there is no record to show that the Acadians took any prominent 
part on either side, but remained true to the name which they 
had styled themselves — "The French Neutrals." 

The first effect of the Treaty Aix-la-Chapelle was the 
attempted settlement by the English of Nova Scotia and the 
foundation of Halifax. Although the English had now been in 
formal possession of the island for over thirty years, no important 
settlements had, so far, been attempted by them, but Great Britain 
had now devised a scheme for effecting English settlements 
along the coast and in the interior by an offer of land to all officers 
and privates retired from the army or navy of Great Britain. 
The English government agreed to transport them and their 
families free of expense to Nova Scotia, maintain them for a 
year, and supply the new settlers with arms to defend themselves. 
The project was so alluring that in a short time over three 
thousand English arrived in Nova Scotia. On their arrival the 
Acadians at once manifested a very friendly disposition towards 
them. They sent deputies to the new Governor acknowledging 
their subjection to the British Crown but at the same time de- 
clining to take an oath of allegiance without reservation. The 



37 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

Indians also sent in their chiefs to make their submission to the 
new government. 

But this peaceable disposition of the Acadians and Indians 
was very displeasing to the Viceroy of Canada who disapproved 
very strongly of the establishment of a strong British post in 
the immediate vicinity of Louisburg, and through his instruc- 
tions, the Indians harassed the new settlers and skirmishes 
occurred intermittently between the English and Indians for the 
next three years. In one instance a French officer from Canada 
came down with a force of Indians and erected a fort on a 
neck of land connecting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and 
impressed five hundred of the Acadians to defend the fort. 
These Acadians were pardoned by the English Governor as it 
was proven that they had acted under threats .from the French 
commander and entreaties from the missionaries, but this very 
unfortunate occurrence gave plausible cause for added distrust 
of the Acadians. 

The English historian records that "the Governor and 
English settlements of Nova Scotia would never again feel 
secure now that the Acadians had once broken through their 
neutrality, that the British government had dealt very fairly 
with them, never compelling them to take up arms against the 
French although subjects to the Crown." And the Governor also 
states that "the English settlers along the coast and interior would 
now live in daily dread of attacks from the Indians, who were 
the strong friends of the Acadians, now that the peace had once 
been broken." Meanwhile, the French from Canada made con- 
stant incursions into Nova Scotia, erected forts, harassed the 
settlers, and made strong encroachments on the territory of the 
island. 

Finally an expedition from Massachusetts, although at the 
expense of the Crown, was undertaken to drive the French out 
of the English possessions in Nova Scotia. 

38 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

Lieutenant Colonel Moncton of Nova Scotia was desig- 
nated by the King to have charge of the expedition, one battalion 
of which was in command of Colonel Winslow of Marshfield, 
Massachusetts, while a Colonel Scott had command of the second 
battallion, and in May, 1755, this fleet sailed from Boston Harbor. 
The avowed object of this expedition was perfectly legitimate in 
its scope and successful in its results: — the resistance of the en- 
croachments of the French in Nova Scotia and their expulsion 
from the island. 

But behind the avowed object of the English expedition, 
known but to those high in authority, and carefully concealed 
until time was ripe, was a scheme so cowardly and brutal in its 
design and development that it seems almost impossible to credit 
the records of history. 

At this period, 1755, the Acadians numbered some 
thousands; they were the earliest European occupants of the 
country and had dwelt in it now for over two hundred years. 
Their manner of life had gradually changed, for they had de- 
serted the pursuits of hunting and fishing so loved by their 
ancestors and turned their labor entirely to the cultivation of the 
soil. The immense meadows which they had secured from the 
sea were covered with flocks of sheep and droves of cattle. A 
record states they possessed 60,000 head of horned cattle and 
most families had several horses although the tillage was carried 
on by oxen. 

The thickly clustered villages of thatched roof cottages 
and substantial farm houses sheltered a frugal, contented people. 
Happy in their seclusion they conducted their affairs in the 
simplest manner. No locks were needed for their doors "no tax 
gatherer counted their folds ; no magistrate dwelt in their ham- 
lets." Living in love their lives glided on "like rivers that water 
the woodlands, reflecting an image of heaven." 



39 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

Do we not all remember Longfellow's description of 

Acadia? 

"In the Acadian land, on the shores of the Basin of Minas, 

Distant, secluded, still, the little village of Grand Pre 

Lay in the fruitful valley. Vast meadows stretched to the eastward, 

Giving the village its name, and pasture to flocks without number. 

West and south there were fields of flax and orchards and cornfields, 

Spreading afar and unfenced o'er the plain, 

There, in the midst of its farms, reposed the Acadian village. ■ 

Strongly built were the houses, with frames of oak and of hemlock, 

There in the tranquil evenings of summer when brightly the sunset 

Lighted the village street and gilded the vanes on the chimneys. 

Matrons and maidens sat in snow-white caps and in kirtles, 

Scarlet, and blue, and green with distaffs spinning the golden 

Flax for their gossiping looms, whose noisy shuttle within doors 

Mingled their sound with the whir of the wheels and the songs of the 

maidens. 
Anon from the belfry 

Softly the Angelus sounded, and over the roofs of the village, 
Columns of pale blue smoke, like clouds of incense ascending 
Rose from a hundred hearths, the homes of peace and contentment. 
Thus dwelt together in love, these simple Acadian farmers ; 
Dwelt in the love of God and man. 

Neither locks had they to their doors, nor bars to their windows 
But their dwellings were open as day and the hearts of the owners. 
There, the richest was poor, and the poorest lived in abundance." 

There is no doubt but that the rapidly increasing possess- 
ions of the Acadians aroused the envy of the English settlements 
and the demands made on the Acadians for supplies and labor 
were constantly increasing both in amount and in harshness. 
Was their property demanded for the public service? It must 
be yielded immediately or "the next courier would bring an order 
for military execution upon the delinquents." Did they delay in 
bringing fire wood at the bidding of their masters? "If they do 
not do it in proper time" was the harsh mandate of the Governor, 
"the soldiers shall absolutely take their houses for fuel." 

Perhaps the utter submission of the Acadians but in- 
creased the bitterness of the English towards them : certainly the 
final drastic action of the government could have been but the 
culmination of years of hatred for it showed a degree of in- 
humanity almost unequalled in the history of any nation. 

For it is thought now by the best students of that period 
that this last expedition against Nova Scotia instigated by 

40 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

Governor Shirley but hid the plan already formed by the parent 
government in England acting on Governor Shirley's advices to 
seize all the possessions of the Acadians, remove them from their 
homes and disperse them among the English colonies, and that 
Colonel Winslow who had charge of one battalion in the com- 
pany was aware of these plans before he sailed from Boston. 

Such inhuman measures must of necessity draw forth 
some apologies and the English had certain accusations against 
the Acadians which are as follows : — 

i. That they would not take the oath of 
allegiance without the qualification that they would 
not be compelled to bear arms. 

2. That though affecting the characters of 
Neutrals they had been guilty of furnishing the 
French and Indians with provisions and intelligence 
of the English movements. 

3. That five hundred of them had assisted 
in holding a French fort. 

With these pretexts for an excuse the decision was made 
by Governor Lawrence of Nova Scotia acting with advices from 
England procured by Governor Shirley of Massuchusetts Bay, 
that the Acadians should be driven from the homes they loved, 
and scattered as exiles over the whole breadth of the continent. 
They were to be treated as captives, and as captives were to be 
sent out to live among the English. 

The execution of this decree was allotted to the New 
England forces with Colonel Winslow as commander. The 
apologists of Colonel Winslow claim that he was but acting under 
commands as a soldier under his King. But in Haliburton's 
History of Nova Scotia is found this passage: "At a con- 
sultation held between Colonel Winslow and Captain Murray 
it was agreed that a proclamation should be issued at the different 
settlements requiring the attendance of the people at the respec- 
tive posts on the same day, which proclamation should be so 
ambiguous in its nature that the object for which they were to 

41 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

assemble should not be discovered," showing conclusively that 
Colonel Winslow was one of the original planners of this most 
diabolical scheme. 

And from Winslow's manuscript journal in possession 
of the Massachusetts Historical Society, in his own handwriting 
are these words : "The Neutrals were to be collected by strata- 
gem or force, as circumstances might require and no attention 
was to be paid to remonstrances or memorials from any desirous 
to stay, but every person was to be embarked if possible accord- 
ing to instructions." 

And on the 30th of August, 1755, a general proclamation 
was made ordering all the males of the French settlements both 
old and young men and all the lads ten years of age to assemble 
at the church at Grand Pre at three o'clock in the afternoon 
then and there to hear his majesty's orders communicated. 
Some, on the news of the proclamation fled in fear to the forests, 
but on the day appointed four hundred and eighteen unarmed 
men gathered in the church which had been occupied by General 
Winslow as his headquarters, while without, their wives and 
children awaited the issue of this strange conference. 

The doors of the church were closed and from the lips of 
General Winslow the sentence of the doomed people was slowly 
but firmly pronounced. "It is his majesty's orders," such were 
the words, "and they are peremptory that the whole French 
inhabitants of these districts be removed. Your lands and 
tenements, cattle of all kinds, and live stock of all sorts are for- 
feited to the Crown, and you yourselves are to be removed from 
the province, and I hope that in whatever part of the world you 
fall, you may be faithful subjects, a peaceable and happy people. 
Meanwhile you are the King's prisoners and will remain in 
security under the inspection and direction of the troops I have 
the honor to command." 



42 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

The imprisoned captives listened to this announcement at 

first in unbroken silence then a loud wail of anguish echoed 

through the building. Twenty of the prisoners were allowed to 

go forth to spread the news of the proclamation but the others 

were kept prisoners in the building for four days while their 

homes were being dismantled by the soldiers and such household 

effects as were allowed them loaded on the ships. Finally on 

the fifth day, broken spirited and broken hearted, the men were 

marched down to the shore where stood in frightened groups 

their wives and children, and for the last time all raised together 

their voices and sang with tremulous lips a chant of the Catholic 

Missions : — 

"Sacred Heart of the Saviour 

O, inexhaustible fountain 

Fill our hearts this day with strength 

And submission and patience." 

By order of Colonel Winslow, the prisoners in the church 
were drawn up in lines of six deep and the young men were 
ordered to march first on board the vessels ; but in frenzied despair 
they refused to be separated from their parents and companions 
and at the point of the bayonet, obedience was enforced. Next 
the fathers were commanded to embark and then the mothers and 
little children, and as the fleets left the harbor, the broken 
hearted captives could watch the flames as they destroyed their 
homes and villages, set on fire by command of Colonel Winslow. 
A large number of the miserable Acadians in the different dis- 
tricts escaped. The rest, seven thousand in number were scattered 
from New Hampshire to Georgia. About a thousand of these 
Acadians arrived at Boston at the opening of the winter and the 
provincial legislature did what it could to alleviate their suffer- 
ings. 

In the archives of the State House, Boston, are two folio 
volumes relating exclusively to the French Neutrals and the 
following report is copied from them. 



43 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

November, 1755, Governor's Council: 

"A committee was appointed to examine into 
the condition of the French in the transports now 
lying in the harbor of Boston and to report what 
they think proper for this Court to do therein." 

The report of the committee shows that the condition of the 
transports were unhealthy and unsanitary from over crowding, 
short allowance of food and scarcity of water; many were sick: 
and the committee recommended that Governor Lawrence of 
Nova Scotia should be held responsible for support of the French 
on board the transports. 

The Acadians that landed in Boston were finally appor- 
tioned to the different counties in Massachusetts — Middlesex 
County at one time harboring one hundred and fifty-six of them. 

On the State Records is spread the following report: 

"The Committee appointed by the Great and 
General Court to apportion and distribute the 
French Neutrals among the several towns in the 
County of Middlesex have effected the same in 
manner as set forth and have caused them to be 
placed in the respective towns to which they have 
been aligned and have notified the selectmen of each 
town of the number and names of the persons 
aligned them as their proportion which is honorably 
submitted by S. Danforth, Wm. Brattle, Samuel 
Livermore, James Russell — Committee." 

The Acadians on being sent to these different towns made 
a terrible mistake for which they expiated in sorrow and suffer- 
ing. They declared that they were prisoners of war and refused 
at first to work. So, many were sent at once to the poor houses 
or bound out as town's poor. As soon as they realized their 
condition, they were glad indeed to do anything towards their 
support, but the unaccustomed labor, the strange customs and 
their fear of the alien race made their labor all the more difficult 
and only in rare cases were they self-supporting. Each town 
kept a record of supplies furnished to these exiles and sent the 

44 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

same to the General Court for reimbursement, which records are 
kept in the State Archives and from these accounts the author 
has been able to secure an almost perfect list of the Acadians 
apportioned to the different towns. But the towns adjacent 
to Lowell interest us the more particularly. 

From the report of the town clerk of Billerica an original 
copy of which is on the rolls of the Great and General Court, is 
this item: "1755, a bill from the merchant Nathaniel Davidson 
of Billerica, exceeding nineteen pounds for sundries furnished 
an Acadian family, man and wife and seven small children and 
his kinswoman and child." In this particular case, the original 
French name seems completely lost. The town must have 
anglicized the name, for the family appears in all the records by 
the name of King. 

In 1758, Mr. Davidson agreed to provide for this family, 
one year for thirty pounds, and a bill to the state is rendered 
"for providing for John King, his wife and children and his 
sister Ann King and child for the year preceding." 

In November, 1759, is recorded a petition from the 
selectmen of the town of Billerica asking relief from the further 
maintenance of this family. These facts are stated : "The family 
had been sent to Billerica in January, 1755, John King had then 
six children and Ann his kinswomen had a child born soon after. 
She afterwards married a John Mitchell who had been quartered 
in Londonderry but joined the colony in Billerica. King's 
eldest daughter had also married and had a child; there were 
now fourteen members of the Acadian family and all were in 
a pitiable state of dependence." 

A family of Acadians by the name of Lapadere were 
assigned to Wilmington. Unhappy exiles indeed were they in 
this town, if the records speak the truth. Placed in a mined 
house, open to all weather, scanty rations and but little fuel, a 



45 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

sick mother and rough usage by the authorities, the Acadian 
family registered as John Lapadere, wife and four children had 
fallen indeed into evil days. 

In Westford, the three Acadians registered on the town 
records must have been self-supporting as there is no account 
from the town for supplies granted them. 

Their names as recorded are : — 

Mary Maud Robinshaw, aged 44. 
Mary Richard, aged 11. 
Eliza Richard, aged 17. 

It is too true that in many of the towns even in Massa- 
chusetts, the unhappy Acadians suffered from poverty and 
ill-treatment. In the light of today, when so many great 
humanitarian movements are in order, to assist the aliens coming 
to our shores, it is almost impossible to understand the spirit of 
intolerance and bigotry exhibited towards these people of an- 
other race, by the New England colonists. It is true that in 
1755 we were still under the dominion of England, and through 
her influence, everything French had became hateful and sus- 
pected. Also the towns in which these exiles were placed were 
almost wholly ignorant of the former peaceable and prosperous 
conditions of the Acadians, of the barbarity with which they had 
been torn from their homes and made a people without 
a country. To our struggling New England towns the Acadians 
were but a part of the hated French, whom they were called on 
to support, a "town charge," a troublesome burden, to be made 
useful if possible, but always a burden. 

Recorded in the folios at the State House are many 
petitions to Governor Shirley of Massachusetts Bay, from the 
Acadians praying relief from their sufferings. Some of these 
petitions are in French and others in good English, showing that 
the exiles had found friends to write for them, but all bearing 
the burden of woe. The beginning of all had the same form: — 



46 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

"Petition from the Neutrals to the Honorable, His Majesty's 
Council of the Province of Massachusetts Bay." In one of the 
petitions in cramped feeble handwriting and broken English, 
were these phrases: "Being strangers in a strange land, de- 
fenceless and alone, and having no where to go for relief," we 
pray, etc. 

But it was with a keen sense of gratification that no trace 
was found of neglect or abuse of the Acadians in the towns from 
which Lowell was formed, Chelmsford, Dracut and Tewksbury, 
and yet these towns harbored within their midst for many a 
month, numbers of the Neutrals. 

On the records of the State House are nearly four full 
pages of accounts and transactions between Chelmsford and the 
exiles committed to her charge, seventeen in number. 

Jean Landrie, a man sixty-two years of age. 

Mandlin, his wife, sick, unable to work. 

Paul Landrie, his son twenty-two years of age. 

Charles Landrie, twenty years of age. 

Simeon Landrie, eighteen years of age. 

Asam Landrie, sixteen years of age. 

Charles Frawhorn, a man twenty-nine years of age. 

Titheroe, his wife. 

Mary, a daughter six and one-half years of age. 

Mandlin, a daughter five and one-half years of age. 

Joseph, a son four years of age. 

Grigwine, their son three years of age. 

Margaret, a daughter 7 months old. 

Joseph Landrie, twenty-six years of age, a son of the said 

Jean. 
Mandlin, his wife, twenty-six years of age. 
Mary Mandlin, daughter, 5 months old. 
Jean, their son, two years of age. 



47 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

The names signed to the bills asking reinbursement to 
the town of Chelmsford "for the support of the French" are: — 
David Spaulding, David Proctor, Henry Spaulding, Jonas Adams, 
Andrew Fletcher — Selectmen of Chelmsford. 

The town of Dracut had within its borders at different 

dates, twelve of the French Neutrals. The first trace of them in 

the town is the following record : — 

"May 18, 1757. It is on this date voted by 
the town of Dracut to give the French family 
Sarah, Mary and Betty Landrie, three of the French 
family that belong to Dracut, twelve dollars to 
transport them to Quebec, upon these instructions, 
that the money shall be lodged in Mr. Peter Fry's 
hand, one of the Overseers of the Poor and not to 
be delivered to them unless they do actually go off 
and pay their passage for transporting them to 
Quebec. 

Ephraim Hildreth, Town Clerk." 

At a later date is found this additional entry : — 

"The Province of the Massachusetts Bay, 
Debtor to the Town of Dracut for Substance of the 
French family from the 5th day of March, 1760, 
to the 15th day of August, 1760, consisting of nine 
persons. The man and his wife aged about sixty 
years and six daughters between the age of twenty 
and twenty-nine years and one about thirteen years. 
The man is not able to perform much labor nor his 
wife and one of the daughters is not in an estate 
of health to perform much labor. 

Ephraim Hildreth, ~\ Selectmen 
Jonathan Coburn, > of 
Ephraim Barron, ) Dracut. 

Tradition claims that this family occupied the old Fox 
house not far from the Milton Fox farm. When the old house 
was being remodeled, there were traces found of French occu- 
pants and foreign utensils. 

As authorizing the fact that Tewksbury also cared for a 
number of the Acadians is found a record in the State Folio, 
giving eleven as the number there. 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

"Middlesex, Tewksbury, June 10, 1757. 
The account of the town of Tewksbury Entertain- 
ing a French family sent from Nova Scotia, viz : — 
Francis Meers, his wife and nine children, eleven 
in number from the 25th day of February last until 
the tenth day of June instant, which is fifteen 
weeks at three dollars per week, amounting to the 
sum of 13 pounds and 10 shillings lawful money, 
for meat, bread, drink, house rent, fire wood, soap 
and salt. We the subscribers, the selectmen of 
Tewksbury Honorably Pray to have the above 
account allowed. Thomas Marshall, John Chapman, 
Isaac Kittredge — Selectmen of Tewksbury. 

Also the following: — 

"To the honorable Samuel Danforth, Esq. 
In pursuance of your Honorable Warrant to us 
directed of the 18th of July. We have removed all 
the French Neutrals that were in our town to the 
town of Redding on the 31st of July, 1760, and 
their names are as follows : Francis Meers and Jane 
his wife, his sons and daughters — John, Francis, 
Paul, Christopher, Boffeal, Rosalie, Elizabeth, 
Priscella, Mary. Another of the daughters, Hanna, 
has been gone out of town for some months and 
when she will return is unknown to us. 

Wm. Brown, Wm. Kittredge, Steven Osgood, 
James Thorndike, Wm. Hunt — Selectmen of 
Tewksbury. 

It is not the scope of this paper to trace the after life 
of these exiles either from these towns or from all Massachu- 
setts. It is probable that when Canada was ceded to the English 
in 1763, many emigrated to that province, others remained 
in New England and inter-married with the colonists. The weak 
and sickly, unable to bear the hardships of an alien life, faded 
away. Perhaps as they lay ill or dying their thoughts and hearts 
yearned for Acadia and their happy home life, as did Marguerite 
of whom Whittier wrote. 



49 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

"But her soul went back to its child time ; she saw the sun o'erflow 

With gold the basin of Minas and set over Gaspereau. 

She saw the face of her mother ; she heard the song she sang, 

And far off faintly, slowly, the bell for vesper rang. 

Done was the work of her hands ; 

She had eaten her bitter bread; 

The world of the alien people 

Lay behind her, dim and dead." 

The writer of this article has compiled from the original 
"Rolls of Colonel Winslow's Regiment sent against Nova Scotia 
in 1755," the names of the men from our adjoining towns who 
were in that expedition, feeling that before all memory of their 
deeds fades from among us, this record should be made. The 
original "Rolls of the Regiment" are in the possession of the 
Massachusetts Historical Society and it is through the courtesy 
of that society that such a compilation was secured. And in 
reading these names it must be understood that no censure or 
blame is connected with these private soldiers, for 

"Theirs not to reason why, 
Theirs but to do or die." 

FROM DRACUT 

Daniel Clough, 45, Laborer 
Jonas Emery, 45, Yeoman 
Joseph Treadwell, 37. Laborer 
John Emery, 18, Laborer 
Francis Knowlton, 23, Laborer 
Simon Wood, 21, Tailor 
Anthony Emery, 22, Laborer 
Richard Barron, 21, Laborer 

FROM TEWKSBURY 

Joshua Frost, 18, Laborer 

Ebenezer Fiske, 20, Laborer 

Timothy Dutton, Laborer 

Benjamin Clark, Laborer 

Samuel Winch Corporal, 43, Husbandman 

William Ober, 20, Laborer 

FROM CHELMSFORD 

Eleazer Stevens, 24, Laborer 
John Warren, 21, Laborer 
John Blaisdell, 22, Cooper 

50 



Acadian Exiles About Lowell 

Jacob Farmer, 41, Laborer 

Benjamin Byam, 21, Cooper 

Thomas Byam, 40, Cordwainer 

Ezekiel Davis, 18, Laborer 

Jeremiah Frost, 19, Laborer 

Benjamin Chamberlain, 18, Laborer 

Benjamin Fletcher, 17, Laborer 

Abraham Cummings, 20, Smith 

Nathaniel Butterfield, 42, Husbandman 

Ebenezer Kittredge, 23, Husbandman 

Nehemiah Varnum, 19, Laborer 

Daniel Stevens, 18, Yeoman 

Nathaniel Foster, 25, Husbandman 

Samuel Foster, 25, Husbandman 

Andrew Hutchins, 25, Husbandman 

Samuel Cowdray, 25, Laborer 

Benjamin Kemps, 22, Cooper 

Abner Keys, 17, Blacksmith 

John Parry, 20, Housewright 

The tragedy of the Acadians' exile is almost forgotten 
and only the faded pages of early records show that once 
among us, a few of the ill-fated Acadians found not a home, 
but a stopping place. And this fragment of history which has 
been written herein is but a connecting link between our modern 
life and the home of Evangeline. 



"This is the forest primeval; but where are the hearts that beneath it 
Leaped like the roe, when he hears in the woodland the voice of the 

huntsman. 
Where is the thatch-roofed village, the home of Acadian farmers : 
Waste are these pleasant farms and the farmers forever departed ; 
Scattered like dust and leaves when the mighty blasts of October 
Seize them and whirl them aloft, and sprinkle them far o'er the ocean, 
Naught but tradition remains of the beautiful village of Grand Pre." 



5i 



Lowell's Share in the Battle 
of Bunker Hill 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

and those who participated therein from the towns 
from which Lowell was formed. 



The story of the Battle of Bunker Hill has been told until 
it has become more familiar to its American readers and audi- 
ences than any other conflict of the Revolution. In truth, the 
deeds of the knights of the "great days of old," riding forth to 
redress all wrong, have not been the theme of more historic 
tales and songs of valor. And no more chivalrous spirit incited 
the hearts of the Knights of King Arthur's Round Table, as 
they sallied forth to defend the faith and honor of their country, 
than fired the hearts of our plain countrymen, as they offered 
themselves a willing sacrifice on the altar of freedom nearly one 
hundred and two score years ago. 

No subsequent battle of the Revolution possesses an 
equal interest with this early struggle for independence and 
liberty. The unparalleled audacity of the seizure of the heights 
of Charlestown, in the presence of a numerous and powerful 
army and fleet of the British, the firmness with which the 
Americans awaited the attack, the terrible loss inflicted on the 
enemy unexampled on any later battlefield of the Revolution, 
and, finally, the curious spectacle of undisciplined men without 
a leader known and respected as such, contesting with a veteran 
army and experienced officers, are marked features that have 
rendered the Battle of Bunker Hill, for all time, a grand and 
memorable deed. While the story of this battle has been told 
by so many people and in such complete detail that it is not 
possible in this paper to offer any new facts in regard to the 
battle, yet it may be possible to present oft-told ones in such an 
order as to assist in a better understanding of both the causes 
and effects of the conflict. 

57 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

The people in all the English speaking colonies in 
America had for many years been growing restive under the 
exactions and restrictions imposed by the arbitrary ministry of 
George III, and after the passage of the Boston Port Bill in 
1774, and other kindred measures, a sullen obedience gave way 
to a passive resistance on the part of the people, which was 
succeeded, as the preparations of the British government to 
enforce their demands became more evident, by a resolution to 
oppose force with force, and carefully and systematically the 
colonists endeavored to provide the necessary means for success- 
ful opposition. 

Early in 1774, in the annals of nearly all the towns of 
Massachusetts, will be found records of votes to buy powder, 
to provide flints and bullets, to organize the militia, to raise 
"Minute Men" whose duty it should be to respond instantly to 
any alarm that the British troops were to make any demonstra- 
tion to leave Boston; and most important of all, to choose "Com- 
mittees of Correspondence" who should keep in touch with 
committees of other towns, and assist in the spread of knowledge 
of things concerning the welfare of the colonies. 

After the British governor, General Gage, had dissolved 
the "Assembly" in 1774 and declared it a "treasonable body," 
and the Assembly immediately adjourning to Concord, passed 
resolutions declaring General Gage an enemy of the province 
and advising against recognizing his authority in any way, there 
was absolutely no one central power in Massachusetts. But 
the state resembled a collection of small republics, bound to- 
gether only by a common interest against a common oppressor. 
Such was the condition at the time of the Lexington alarm, 
April 19th, 1775, the events of which are familiar to us all. 

But before the alarm and excitement of that battle had 
passed away, it had become the unanimous judgment of the 
people of this state that the English ministry had finally begun 

58 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

a War of Oppression, and that Middlesex County was to be the 
scene of the first war-like resistance of the American colonies, 
and even while the fighting was going on, on the memorable 
19th of April, up and down the historic highway, messengers 
were dispatched over the great routes, to Connecticut, Rhode 
Island and New Hampshire, with the news that war had actually 
begun. 

Every town, every obscure village, reached, was in turn 
electrified. 

The entire population sprang to arms, nor were those 
whose kindred had been slaughtered at Lexington more de- 
termined to avenge the blood poured out there, than were their 
sympathizing brethren in the other colonies of New England. 

The Provincial Congress met almost immediately after 
the Battle of Lexington and Joseph Warren was elected presi- 
dent pro tempore. It was resolved that Massachusetts should 
raise an army of 13,000 men immediately. 

Circulars were sent out to the different towns of this 
state by the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, elected about 
this time, calling out the militia and urging by all means the 
enlistment of men to form the army, and to send them forward 
without delay to the camp at Cambridge which had now become 
the headquarters of the American army with General Artemus 
Ward as Commander-in-Chief. The other American forces were 
to be at Roxbury with General Thomas, and Richard Gridley 
was elected chief engineer by the Provincial Congress. 

Circulars were also sent to the other New England 
colonies asking that as many troops as could be spared should 
be sent to the assistance of Massachusetts. 

Connecticut was so prompt in its answer to the appeal 
that a few days after the 19th of April she had no towns not 
represented in her army which consisted of 6000 men to be 
under the command of Brigadier General Joseph Spencer and 

59 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

Brigadier General Israel Putnam; but gallant Israel Putnam 
had not waited for a commission before he was in action. He 
was ploughing in his field when he first heard of the butchery 
of the Americans at Lexington. Prompt as when he dragged 
the wolf from its den, he stopped not to change his clothes or 
unyoke his oxen, but leaped to his saddle and galloped towards 
Concord which he entered on the 21st of April, on the same 
horse he had mounted the afternoon before at Pomfret. On 
the next day he wrote back to Connecticut to hasten the troops 
to Cambridge where he at once went, ready for any call that 
might be made upon him. General Spencer was sent to join 
the camp at Roxbury. 

Rhode Island voted to raise 1300 men to join and co- 
operate with the forces of the neighboring colonies under the 
command of Brigadier General Nathaniel Greene. 

In New Hampshire, when the tidings reached Derryfield, 
now Manchester, that the Americans were fighting the 
British soldiers, Colonel John Stark started on horseback for 
Lexington ; his name like General Putnam's was known to 
almost every household in New England. New Hampshire 
furnished troops which were divided into three regiments under 
Colonels Stark, Reid and Poore. Later General Folsom took 
command and joined General Ward at Cambridge. 

In Vermont, fiery Ethan Allen was eager to march 
towards Concord, but he paused to execute that wonderful enter- 
prise which secured for the Americans the formidable fortresses 
of Ticonderoga and Crown Point with all their military stores. 
and gave additional courage to the hearts of the Provincials. 

The official returns of the army thus gathered are so 
inadequate and inaccurate that it is impossible to ascertain with 
precision, its numbers. The "grand American Army" as it was 
called in the newspapers of that date probably consisted of about 
16,000 men. 

60 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

Rev. Mr. Gordon, historian of the Revolution, and at 
this time chaplain of the Provincial Congress published a re- 
turn of the army present at Cambridge in June giving a total 
of 7,644 officers and men, but he warns us that the returns are 
untrustworthy. 

The army was so peculiarly situated, each colony having 
its own establishment, supplying its own troops with provisions 
and ammunition, and directing their disposition, that the only 
element of uniformity seems to have been the common purpose 
that called them together. 

On April 20th General Ward took command of the 
American forces and called a council of war. There were present 
Generals Ward, Heath and Whitcomb, Colonels Bridge, Frye, 
James Prescott, William Prescott, Bullard and Barrett. Later, 
as stated before, the neighboring colonies sent regiments under 
their local leaders. The officers and the army were directly 
responsible to the Committee of Safety, who had almost 
dictatorial powers on all military matters. No one had more 
influence at this time than Dr. Warren, president of the Com- 
mittee of Safety. He did wonders in preserving order among 
the men, for there was great difficulty in maintaining discipline. 
However, in a short time, each colony made separate provision 
for its troops, establishing their pay and appointing and com- 
missioning their officers. 

General Ward was authorized to command only the 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire troops; the Brigadier 
Generals of the other colonies not recognizing General Ward 
as Commander-in-Chief until after the Battle of Bunker Hill. 
This last fact alone sufficiently indicates the confusion that 
existed as to rank among the officers of the different colonies, 
and, in addition to this want of subordination so vital to success 
in military operations, the army was inadequately supplied with 
muskets, bayonets and powder; probably one-third of the Massa- 

61 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

chusetts troops being without muskets as late as the 16th of 
June. Even tents and clothes were lacking to protect our men; 
and no measure of bravery or patriotism could make up, in a 
day of trial, for all this defencelessness. Yet this ill-appointed 
army was not entirely unprepared for an encounter. Many 
officers and men had served in the French War; a martial spirit 
had been excited by the frequent trainings of the "Minute Men," 
while the habitual use of the fowling-piece made these raw 
militia superior to veteran British troops in aiming the musket. 
They were superior to them also in character, being mostly 
substantial farmers and mechanics, who had left their homes, 
not to make war a trade, but because they were animated by 
a fresh enthusiasm for liberty. The army also reposed great 
confidence in its leaders. General Ward had served under 
Abercrombie, was a true patriot and a cautious soldier. General 
Thomas was an excellent officer and much beloved. Gridley 
had won laurels at Louisburg as a skilful military engineer. 
Putnam was of intrepid valor and great popularity, Prescott 
of great bravery and military skill, and Stark independent and 
daring. The American army to oppose General Gage was 
gathering from the 19th of April to the middle of June. It 
was distributed along a line nine miles in extent from Boston 
to Medford, but mainly concentrated in two partially entrenched 
camps at Roxbury and Cambridge, and was in daily expectation 
of being attacked by the well armed, well disciplined, well 
officered British army in Boston, and this siege duty told 
severely on men who were not used to camp existence, for 
discipline had not yet counteracted the demoralizing tendencies 
of army life. Ill fed, poorly armed, and with no one recognized 
leader, it was no wonder that the men became restless, dissatis- 
fied and eager for action of any sort, and during the sixty days 
between the battle of Lexington and Bunker Hill, the Americans 
did make several threatening demonstrations against the British, 

62 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

two of the most important being the march under General 
Putnam, made with considerable parade through Charlestown, 
another being a skirmish between the American troops at Chelsea 
and a British schooner and marines at Noddle's Island. 

From the evening of the Lexington fight, General Gage 
was shut up in Boston. The patriots kept a strict guard on 
every road; no parties were permitted to pass out, no pro- 
visions to pass in, and thus the citizens of Boston were cut off 
from intercourse with the country and were suddenly deprived 
of the necessaries of life. Also civil war was at their doors, 
the sundering of social ties, the burning of peaceful homes, the 
butchery of kindred and friends, and all was uncertainty in re- 
gard to their own fate. The murmurings of the citizens be- 
came so loud that General Gage finally asked for an interview 
with the selectmen of Boston, for he did not feel safe under 
existing circumstances, fearing that in case of attack from the 
American troops the citizens of Boston would join with their 
friends without, and he would thus have a double danger to 
fight. At the meeting with the selectmen General Gage made 
the following proposition : — "That if the men of Boston would 
lodge their fire-arms in Faneuil Hall, they, with their families 
and possessions, might leave the town, and those who chose 
to remain in the city might rely on his protection." The town 
voted to accept this proposal. But the exodus from Boston 
became so great as to alarm the British commander, as he 
feared an attack if all the patriots left, and his agreement with 
the selectmen on one pretext or another was shamefully violated. 
At length passes were refused altogether or arranged so that 
families were divided, General Gage being very averse to allow- 
ing women and children to leave Boston, as he thought they 
contributed to its safety. Thus did the brave British Com- 
mander-in-Chief shelter himself behind the skirts of the first 
Daughters of the American Revolution. 

63 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

The inhabitants of Charlestown also were deeply dis- 
tressed through the Siege of Boston, and so many left the town 
that it was practically deserted. 

The British officers and men confined in Boston chafed 
under the enforced inactivity; they longed for an opportunity 
to regain the prestige lost on the fatal 19th of April. But 
General Gage was too wise a commander to risk his army by 
acting on the offensive until it was stronger, so his operations 
were directed to putting Boston in as good position as possible 
before the attack which he daily expected, and his engineers were 
kept busily at work while the reinforcements from England 
and Ireland were arriving. Some of these reached him about 
the last of May when the Cerberus came into port with Generals 
Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne on board. Soon General Gage 
had under his command 10,000 of the best troops in the British 
Empire. Several of the regiments bore a distinguished and 
ancient record. Besides infantry there was a battalion of Royal 
Artillery and a regiment of Dragoons, effective in all the manual 
of arms. The generals and most of the troops had seen service. 
Howe was known to be brilliant and dashing, Clinton, cool 
and sagacious, Burgoyne, brave but over-confident. 

On the 1 2th of June General Gage issued his memorable 
proclamation, arrogant in its tone and grossly insulting to the 
people. It declared martial law, pronounced those in arms to 
be rebels, but offered pardon to all who should lay down their 
arms, excepting only Samuel Adams and John Hancock. 

This proclamation aroused the temper of the Provincials 
to white heat. About this time General Gage was advised to 
make a sally out of Boston and send troops to occupy both 
Charlestown and Dorchester Heights, both of them military 
positions of the greatest importance to the occupation of Boston, 
which favorable positions were also known to the Provincial 
leaders, and news having reached the American army that 

64 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

the British had decided to fortify Dorchester Heights on Sun- 
day, June 1 8th, the Committee of Safety gave orders to General 
Ward to forestall this design if possible. So in accordance with 
these instructions, General Ward issued a command that on 
Friday, June 16th, measures should be taken to fortify Bunker 
Hill on Charlestown Heights. 

Colonels Prescott's, Frye's and Bridge's regiments with 
two hundred Connecticut troops under Captain Knowlton of 
General Putnam's brigade, were to proceed at once to the 
Cambridge camp, taking with them all the entrenching tools, 
and place themselves under the immediate command of Colonel 
William Prescott of Pepperell. About nine o'clock on the even- 
ing of June 1 6th, the memorable march to Charlestown Heights 
began, Colonel Prescott, accompanied by Colonel Richard 
Gridley, the chief engineer, at the head of the troops, about 
1 200 in number. The orders from General Ward to Colonel 
Prescott were in writing, and were to the effect that the detach- 
ment should proceed to Bunker Hill, build fortifications to be 
planned by Engineer Gridley, and defend these works until 
they should be relieved, the orders not to be communicated 
until the detachment had passed Charlestown Neck. When 
the men reached this point they were joined by General Put- 
nam and the whole body marched to Bunker Hill. Here Colonel 
Prescott called his field officers around him and communicated 
his commands. The order was explicit as to Bunker Hill, but 
Breed's Hill, nearer Boston, seemed better adapted to the object 
of the expedition and the daring spirit of the Americans, and 
it was finally decided to first throw up intrenchments on Breed's 
Hill, and afterwards Bunker Hill should also be fortified in 
order to cover a retreat if necessary. 

When the men reached Breed's Hill, Colonel Gridley 
marked out the plan of fortifications and at twelve o'clock at 
night the men began to work, a few being sent to patrol the 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

vicinity in order to give the alarm if surprised. But to the 
thousand men or more, working so continuously through the 
night, came the cheering cry from the patrols — "All's well." 
Almost silently was the redoubt formed and the breastworks 
thrown up, as the shore was almost a continuous chain of British 
sentinels and the British fleet lay near by. 

But it was early morning before the fortifications were 
discovered. They were first seen by the English man-of-war, 
the "Lively," and she immediately opened fire on the intrench- 
ments. The noise of the cannonade awoke the British camp 
at Boston who gazed in surprise on this daring defiance of the 
Americans. 

Inside the earth-works the men were protected from the 
enemy and were not materially disturbed by the balls, but kept 
on at work, strengthening the intrenchments and raising plat- 
forms inside of them to stand upon when they should be called 
on to fire. Early in the day a private named Asa Pollard of 
Billerica was killed; Colonel Prescott, afraid of the effect on 
the men, ordered him buried at once. "What, without prayers?" 
said the astonished chaplain and he insisted on performing 
service on the first victim of the day, but Colonel Prescott 
ordered the men to disperse and the body was buried at once. 

About noon the fortifications on Breed's Hill were con- 
sidered finished, and General Putnam ordered Colonel Prescott 
to send the intrenching tools at once to Bunker Hill and to 
throw up a breastwork there; but, by this time, the shipping 
in the harbor had taken a position where they raked the hill 
with their cannon shot, making it impossible to continue the 
work. 

As the day advanced the men at the redoubt suffered 
from the intense heat, and from the lack of food and drink, 
and Colonel Prescott was urged to send a request to General 
Ward for this force to be relieved by other troops, but Colonel 

66 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

Prescott promptly refused, saying that "the men who had raised 
the works, were the best able to defend them, and those who 
had the fatigue of the labor should have the honor of the 
victory," but he finally agreed to send a special messenger to 
General Ward for reinforcements. General Putnam, who 
seemed to be the inspiring spirit all along the line, had already 
told General Ward of the extreme need of additional troops, 
and of refreshments for the men at the redoubt, and finally the 
regiments of Colonels Stark and Reed, with other regiments, 
were sent to reinforce Colonel Prescott. General Ward was 
so unwilling to weaken his force at Cambridge until he knew 
which point the British meant to attack that much time was 
lost in confusion and vacillation, and the men at the redoubt 
began to lose heart, but Generals Warren and Pomeroy, coming 
among them as volunteers, gave new courage to the men faint 
from the lack of food and sleep, and General Putnam also, at 
this time, rode on the field again to share in the labor and peril. 
The earth-works which protected the entrance to the redoubt 
were extended and strengthened, a low stone wall surmounted 
with a rail fence some two hundred yards in the rear and ex- 
tending to the water's edge was utilized, and to close the gap 
between the end of the stone wall and the end of the earth-works, 
rail fences were erected close together, and the space between 
filled with the new-mown hay, lying in the field. 

Long before this, the British troops in Boston were 
observed to be in motion. Early in the morning, General Gage 
had called a council of war and contrary to the advice of General 
Clinton determined to dislodge the Americans from Breed's 
Hill by a front attack, and about twelve o'clock on June 17th 
the British troops began to embark for the scene of battle in 
charge of Lieutenant General Howe and General Pigot, and 
landed at Moulton's Point about one hour later, when the ships 
were sent back to Boston for reinforcements for the British. 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

What must have been the feelings of the wearied Provincials at 
the redoubt when they saw this magnificent display of disciplined 
British troops with scarlet uniforms and glittering weapons, 
forming into line, while the battleships of the enemy made an 
imposing background ! 

Just before the battle began the American troops 
were disposed in the following manner: — at the redoubt, 
Colonels Prescott's, Frye's and Bridge's regiments with Colonel 
Callender's artillery, while Lieutenant Colonel Robinson of West- 
ford and Captain Wyman of Stark's regiment were stationed 
behind stone walls and fences. At the famous "Rail Fence," 
which was under General Putnam's immediate command, were 
Colonel Stark and Colonel Reed of New Hampshire, Captain 
Knowlton of the Connecticut troops, while Brown of Tewksbury, 
Nixon, Little and Doolittle's regiments were near. 

The British commander, General Howe, divided his 
army into two divisions, one under himself to march towards 
the "Rail Fence," the other, under General Pigot, towards the 
redoubt. With courage and confidence in themselves and con- 
tempt towards the "American peasants," as Burgoyne styled 
the colonists, the British marched forward, but their steady 
progress was broken by the rows of new-mown hay, the stone 
walls and the marshy ground near the brick-kilns. The British 
met with but little resistance from the Americans as they pro- 
ceeded, as the Provincials had been cautioned not to fire 
until the British were within a few rods — "Wait until you see 
the whites of their eyes" — "Pick out the officers" — "Aim at the 
handsome coats," were the commands of Colonel Prescott and 
General Putnam. At the required distance, the Americans 
opened fire! The result was terrible and the slaughter of the 
British immense. Alarmed and staggered at this unlooked for 
reception, General Howe ordered retreat. The Americans were 
jubilant. But General Howe soon rallied his troops and decided 

68 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

to advance in the same manner as before. In the meantime, 
Charlestown had been set on fire. Amidst the smoke of the 
burning town, and the cannonade from the ships, the British 
troops proceeded slowly again towards the charge, stepping 
on rows of their slain comrades. Again the Americans awaited 
them, again did the deadly fire pour out, and the British fell 
back. 

But the ammunition of the Provincials was falling low, a 
few cannon cartridges constituting the whole stock of powder 
on hand. These were opened and the powder distributed. The 
British were so long in rallying that the Provincial officers 
thought that they might not attack again and Colonel Prescott 
spent the time in inspiring his command with hope and courage, 
while General Putnam tried to bring order out of the confusion 
that reigned on Bunker Hill because of the lack of reinforce- 
ments. 

Finally the British commander, General Howe, resolved 
to make the third assault, four hundred marines having landed 
to assist him, and General Clinton coming to arouse the courage 
of the troops. He now ordered the men to reserve their fire, 
relying on their bayonets, and make their main attack on the 
redoubt. A demonstration was made against the rail fence. 
Generals Howe, Clinton and Pigot led against Breed's Hill. 
They soon broke through the breastworks and drove the de- 
fenders into the intrenchments. Colonel Prescott saw that the 
redoubt must soon be carried, but he continued to give his orders 
steadfastly and coolly. 

But the American fire slackened for want of ammunition 
and the stones that were hurled, betrayed their weakness to 
the British. The redoubt was soon successfully scaled and the 
conflict carried on, hand to hand, with swords and bayonets; 
the enemy continued to enter the intrenchments and Colonel 
Prescott gave the order to retreat. The British, with cheers, 

69 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

took possession of the works and immediately formed and 
poured a destructive fire upon the retreating troops, doing 
deadly destruction. At this time the brave and gallant General 
Warren was killed. 

In the meantime the Americans at the "Rail Fence" 
maintained their ground with great firmness. The force here 
did a great service for it saved the main body, who were re- 
treating in disorder from the redoubt, from being cut off by 
the British. When it was perceived at this point that Colonel 
Prescott had left the hill, the men gave ground, but with more 
regularity than could have been expected of troops who had 
been no longer under discipline. 

The whole body of Americans were now under retreat 
over the top of Bunker Hill, where General Putnam endeavored 
to stem the confusion and make another stand — but in vain. 

About five o'clock the British troops with a great parade 
of triumph, took possession of the same hill that had served 
them for a retreat on the 19th of April. 

Apprehensions were entertained on both sides of a re- 
newal of attack in the night, but the loss of the Peninsula had 
damped the ardor of the Americans, and the loss of men 
depressed the spirit of the British. The battle of Bunker Hill 
was ended ; the British colors flew over Prescott's redoubt ; four 
hundred and fifty patriots and fifteen hundred British killed, 
wounded and missing; eighty-nine British officers slept in the 
dust. But patriot courage and endurance were found to equal 
patriot enthusiasm. Technically the battle was lost — morally 
it was won ; for where Warren fell, a Nation was born. 

We, residents of this fair city of Lowell may well feel 
a thrill of patriotism and a pride in the achievement, and claim 
a share in the glory of those who fought that day at Bunker Hill. 



70 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

For the three towns which gave so liberally of their 
territory to form this prosperous city of ours, gave also most 
generously of their men and means, on that memorable day. 

Chelmsford, Dracut and Tewksbury, our foster-mothers, 
stand forth a trio of sisters proud of the stainless record of 
their sons on Bunker Hill. 

And the century and nearly two score years seem to have 
passed away, as we tread the ancient highway in our city over 
which many of these men hastened on their way to join the 
camp at Cambridge. And can we not picture them, eagerly 
hurrying forward, through the beautiful spring and summer 
days, under the leafy trees, and beside the winding streams gaily 
bedecked with our own familiar flowers, leaving behind them, 
their dearly loved cottage or homestead, and marching out to 
certain danger and probable death? 

One wonders if that beautiful season of our somewhat 
bleak New England, when all Nature is at her best, may not 
have unconsciously inspired them and added to their de- 
termination to repel the usurper from her soil, and leave this 
dear and beloved land, a free heritage to their posterity. 

In the Battle of Bunker Hill, Chelmsford men were con- 
spicuous for their bravery and acts of personal daring. Captain 
John Ford, whose homestead and saw-mill were on what is 
now Pawtucket street, was in command of the Chelmsford 
company, consisting of sixty men. He was attached to the 
regiment of Colonel Ebenezer Bridge, the son of the patriotic 
minister of Chelmsford, and was stationed at the camp at 
Cambridge under General Ward. When the preparations for 
the battle began, Captain Ford obtained permission from the 
general to withdraw his company privately, and march directly 
to reinforce the troops at Bunker Hill. On their way they 
were met by General Putnam who ordered Captain Ford to 
draw the cannon which had been deserted by Colonel Callender 

7i 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

at the foot of the redoubt, into line at the "rail fence." Captain 
Ford's men objected on the ground that many of them had 
never seen a cannon before, but being encouraged by the cap- 
tain, they finally moved them into the desired position. "When 
the British advanced towards the "rail fence," these cannon 
manned by a portion of Captain Ford's company, opened fire 
on them with great effect; the rest of his men were ordered 
not to use their muskets until the enemy were within eight rods 
of the line, but Joseph Spalding of Chelmsford could not resist 
the temptation to discharge his musket before orders were given, 
and so doing, hastened the attack. On his tombstone in the 
old graveyard at Chelmsford, is this inscription: "He was at 
the Battle of Bunker Hill where he opened the battle by firing 
upon the enemy before orders were given.'' 

Another company under command of Captain Benjamin 
Walker was attached to Colonel Bridge's command and included 
ten Chelmsford men. The following tables contain the names 
of those who belonged to Chelmsford and engaged in the Battle 
of Bunker Hill : — 

Officers : Adjutant Joseph Fox 

Col. Ebenezer Bridge Quartermaster John Bridge 

Lieut.-Col. Moses Parker Surgeon Walter Hastings 

Major John Brooks Asst Surgeon John Sprague 

27th Regiment under Captain John Ford : 

Lieut. Isaac Parker Ensign Jonas Parker 

Sergeants : Corporals : 
Moses Parker John Bates 

Daniel Keyes Benjamin Barrett 

Parker Emerson William Chambers 

Jonas Pierce William Cambill 

Drummer: Fifer: 

William Ranstead Barzilla Lew — Dracut 

Privates : 

John Keyes Francis Davidson 

Alexander Davidson Oliver Cory 

John Chambers Samuel Marshall 

Samuel Britton Joseph Chambers 

Moses Parker Joseph Spalding 

72 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 



Benjamin Pierce Isaac Barrett 

David Chambers Reuben Foster 

Ebenezer Shed Timothy Adams 

Samuel Wilson John Parker 

Nathaniel Foster William Rowell 

James Drum Benjamin Hayward 

Isaiah Foster Thomas Bewkel 

Benjamin Parker James Alexander 

Benjamin Farley Nathaniel Kemp 

Enoch Cleaveland Solomon Keyes 

Benjamin Butterfield Noah Foster 

Samuel Howard Jonas Spalding 

Moses Esterbrook Josiah Fletcher 

Robert Auger James Chambers 

Elijah Haselton Silas Parker 

John Glode Robert Richardson 

Jesse Dow William Brown 

Joseph Spalding Solomon Farmer 



Captain Benjamin Walker's Company: 

Charles Fletcher Thomas Marshall 

Joseph Blood John Adams 

Zaccheus Fletcher Robert Tier 

Joseph Osgood Ebenezer Gould 
Joshua Durant 



Lieutenant Colonel Moses Parker and Captain Benjamin 
Walker of Chelmsford were mortally wounded at the Battle of 
Bunker Hill. 

Dracut also has a proud record on this historic field of 
battle. 

Captain Peter Coburn's company in Colonel Bridge's 
regiment did memorable service on that day. This company 
was stationed at the redoubt; it numbered fifty-four men, and 
they were hotly engaged during the action. Captain Coburn's 
clothes being riddled with balls. It is related that just as Colonel 
Prescott gave the order to retreat, a British officer mounted 
the breastworks and exclaimed "Now, my boys, we have you," 
and in answer to this boast, Captain Coburn picked up a stone, 
hurled it at his head and knocked him down. 



73 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

The muster-roll of Captain Peter Coburn's company of 
Dracut at the Battle of Bunker Hill is as follows : 



Captain : 
Peter Coburn 

Sergeants : 
James Varnum 
Micah Hildreth 
Phineas Coburn 
William Harvey 

Privates : 
Benjamin Barron 
John Bradley 
Daniel Clough 
Timothy Davis 
William Emerson 
Timothy Foster 
Jesse Fox 
Josiah Fox 
Gardner Gould 
Abij ah Hills 
Nehemiah Jaquest 
Solomon Jones 
David Lindsey 
Jonathan Richardson 
John Roper 
Barnabas Stevens 
Elijah Tuttel 
John Varnum 
Joshua Varnum 
Henry Barron 



Lieutenants : 
Josiah Foster 
Ebenezer Varnum 

Corporals : 
John Hancock 
John Taylor 
Jesse Fox 
John Barron 

Moses Clement 
Benjamin Crosby 
Seth Didson 
Zebediah Fitch 
Abij ah Fox 
Thomas Gardner 
Jonathan Hamblett 
John Holt 
Samuel Jenners 
Nathaniel Kittredge 
William Parker 
Moses Richardson 
Amos Sawyer 
John Thissel 
Joseph Tuttel 
Jonas Varnum 
William Varnum 
Jonas Whiting 
Solomon Wood 
Samuel Whiting 
Thomas Wright 



In other companies were; 

Moses Barker 
Moses Parker, Jr. 
William Brown 
Smith Coburn 



Joseph Hibbard 
Chester Parker 
Barzilla Lew, Colored 



Three men from Dracut were mortally wounded or killed 
at Bunker Hill : 

Benjamin Crosby John Thissel Joseph Hibbard 

Tewksbury also manifested a spirit of patriotism and 
sacrifice not less than her sister towns in the great struggle for 
Independence. 

The men from Tewksbury, who were engaged in the 
Battle of Bunker Hill, were in the companies of Captain John 
Harnden of Wilmington and Captain Benjamin Walker of 
Chelmsford. 



74 



The Battle of Bunker Hill 

Those in Captain Harnden's company being: 

J°h" Bur t . Moses Gray 

William Harris Samuel Manning 

Joshua Thompson 

In Captain Walker's company: 

Lieutenant : Corporals : 

John Flint P hillip Fowler 

Sergeants : David Ba j 

Luke Swett p ete r Hunt 

Ehakim Walker 

Drummer: Fifer- 

Phineas Annis I saac Manning 
Privates : 

John Bayley Samuel Bayley 

Jonathan Beard John Danderly 

John Dutton Timothy Dutton 

Amos Foster j acob Frost 

Jonathan Frost Joseph Frost 

Jonathan Gould Jonathan Gray 

l?u Ha u ^ J° hn Howard 

Nehemiah Hunt P au l Hunt 

Josiah Kidder _ Asa Laveston 

Ehphalet Manning Daniel Merritt 

Joseph Phelps Hezekiah Thorndike 

Taken prisoners or killed at Bunker Hill : 
Phillip Fowler j acob Frost 

The lists of the names of the men from Chelmsford, 
Dracut and Tewksbury who fought on that memorable 17th 
of June, have been compiled from the original records, and it 
seems but a slight recognition of their services to preserve these 
lists, which form a roll of Honor of the men who fought on 
Bunker Hill. The men who lived and loved and labored within 
our original boundaries, and whose patriotism on that day, made 
it possible for our fair city of Lowell to have existence. 



75 



The Story of Wannalancet 



The Story of Wannalancet 



The story of Wannalancet, the last sachem of the Merri- 
mack Valley Indians, is one of the most pathetic in our early 
colonial history. 

The loyalty and faithfulness displayed by Wannalancet 
in his dealings with the English settlers deserved a better reward, 
yet the halo of romance that still lingers around his memory 
may compensate, in a degree, for the neglect bestowed on him 
during his life. 

About two hundred and eighty years ago all that part 
of New England bordering on and including the Merrimack 
Valley, from Newburyport to Lake Winnipesaukee, and from 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to beyond Worcester, Massachu- 
setts, was in the possession of a powerful tribe of Indians whose 
chief or sachem was Passaconnaway. 

This tribe was in divisions and had names according to 
the localities in which they lived — as the Pennacooks, Pawtuckets, 
and Wamesits, but all were under the authority of this one 
sachem. 

At the time that the English came to this part of the 
country, Passaconnaway was a very old man, yet he was con- 
sidered the most powerful and influential sachem in all New 
England. 

The tribe of which he was chief, was constantly being 
harassed by the continuous attacks of their enemies, the Tarran- 
tines on the East, and the Mohawks on the West, and Passa- 
connaway had the wisdom and intelligence, to understand that a 
friendly alliance with the English would be the surest defence 
that he and his people could have against the hostile Indian 
tribes. 

81 



The Story of Wannalancet 

Also, he had the foresight to see the utter hopelessness of 
any attempt on the part of his tribe to subdue and conquer the 
English, and acting from these motives, Passaconnaway made a 
friendly alliance with the English colonists, giving up to them 
large tracts of land, and promisinig to live in love and peace 
with them. But tradition says that the proud spirit of Passa- 
connaway at times regretted the peaceful policy that he had 
adopted, for the suspicions and fears of the early Massachusetts 
colonists, were easily excited against the red men and they in- 
flicted cruel wrongs upon the unoffending Passaconnaway and 
his tribe. 

In 1642, it was rumored among the English that a con- 
spiracy was forming among the Indians to crush the colonists, 
and a company of men was sent out to capture the principal 
Indian chiefs. Passaconnaway and his tribe were innocent of 
any such intent, but despite their proofs of innocence, Wanna- 
lancet, the son of Passaconnaway, was taken by the party and 
most insultingly and cruelly led to Boston by his captors, with a 
rope around his neck. Wannalancet was kept in prison for 
some months ; he was then set at liberty and restored to his tribe. 
But this outrage upon the son of Passaconnaway made a deep im- 
pression on the mind of the old chief and led him to doubt for 
a long while the sincerity of the English colonists towards him, 
but in 1648, John Eliot, a missionary to the Indians, visited this 
tribe at one of the fishing seasons, when many of the Indians had 
gathered at Pawtucket, and cemented and strengthened the friend- 
ship between the Indians and the English. 

At this time also, John Eliot told the Indians of the one 
only and true God, and, at the close of his message, Passaconna- 
way announced his conversion to the "God of the English." 

The old Sachem continued in his belief in the "Christians' 
God" during the remainder of his life, and, as a proof of his 



82 



The Story of Wannalancet 

sincerity, he offered John Eliot a permanent abiding place with 
his tribe, that the Indians might benefit by the teachings of the 
missionary. 

In 1660, Passaconnaway being then of very great age, 
made his farewell speech to his people as it was customary for 
the Indian sachems to do, on nearing the end of life. 

Passaconnaway bade "Good-by" to his people at Paw- 
tucket and his closing words were most eloquent and pathetic. 

"Think, my children, of what I now say: I commune with 
the Great Spirit. He says : 'Tell your people, Peace, Peace is 
the only hope of your race. I have given Fire and Thunder to 
the pale faces for weapons. I have made them plentier than the 
leaves of the forest and still shall they increase. These meadows, 
they shall turn with the plow ; these forests shall fall by the axe. 
The pale faces shall live upon your hunting grounds and make 
their villages upon your fishing places. The Great Spirit says 
this and it must be true. We are few and powerless before them. 
We must bend before the storm. Peace, Peace with the white 
men is the command of the Great Spirit, and the wish, the last 
wish of Passaconnaway." 

The old chief lived but a short while after his farewell 
speech and his son Wannalancet became Sachem about 1669. 

It was the custom among the Indian tribes to give their 
young men names indicative of their characters, and that 
Wannalancet must have possessed a very peaceful disposition is 
shown by the meaning of the title given him on reaching man- 
hood, — "Wannalancet," which in the Indian speech means 
"breathing pleasantly." 

For years before he became sachem, he had been on 
friendly terms with the English, and as chief, he continued to 
follow his father's advice. 

During Passaconnaway's life, Concord, New Hampshire, 
then called Pennacook, was the principal residence of the Sachem, 

83 



The Story of Wannalancet 

but Wannalancet chose Pawtucket, now called Lowell, as his 
headquarters. 

His first act of any importance was to build a fort for 
protection against the Mohawks, his ancient enemies. This 
fort was built by Wannalancet on what is now known as Fort 
Hill Park. This fort was used many years not only for defence, 
but as a rendezvous or camping place for a part of the tribe. 

Of course, Indians being a migratory people, changed 
their homes according to inclination or season ; their houses were 
birch bark tents or wigwams and could easily be erected in any 
suitable place. During the planting season, their wigwams were 
clustered where the land gave best crops ; at the fishing season 
near the pools in which the salmon, shad and alewives hid, and 
in the winter season near the hunting grounds. 

Wamesit which included what is now called Lowell, ex- 
cept Centralville and Pawtucketville, was rich in fertile and 
luxuriant lands, and where now are paved streets, residences, 
stores, and factories, the Indians had waving fields of corn. 

During the fishing season the Indians gathered in great 
numbers around the rapids, which we call Pawtucket Falls 
Wannalancet, having a wigwam where the French-American 
Orphanage now stands, and Wannalancet street bears its name 
because the old Chief once encamped so near it. Many old 
Indian weapons, arrow-heads, and even the crude cooking 
utensils of the Indians have been discovered in the neighborhood. 

Massic Island in the Concord river where Stott's Mills 
are located, was another favorite fishing spot of Wannalancet's 
tribe and to these two places, John Eliot and Gookin, the 
missionaries, were wont to come in the fishing seasons to tell the 
savages of the God of the English, and, at one of these services, 
Wannalancet, as did his father Passaconnaway before him, re- 
nounced his heathen worship to accept the God of the white man. 

The words of Wannalancet on this occasion were very 



The Story of Wannalancet 

characteristic: "Sirs, you have been pleased for years past, in 
your abundant love, to apply yourselves particularly to me and 
to my people, and to exhort, press, and persuade us to pray to 
God. I am very thankful to you for your pains. I must ac- 
knowledge I have been used to pass all my days in an old 
canoe, and now you exhort me to change and leave my old canoe 
and embark in a new one, to which I have hitherto been unwill- 
ing, but now I yield myself to your advice and do engage to 
pray to God hereafter." And the sincerity of the acceptance of 
the "white man's God" by Wannalancet was proved in many 
ways in his righteous dealings, both with his tribe and the 
colonists. 

Not only around this immediate neighborhood, but all 
along the Merrimack River as far north as Lake Winnipesaukee, 
the Indians had their hunting grounds, their fields of grain, and 
their fishing spots. But the English settlers were the most 
numerous in the towns around what is now Lowell, and as 
Wannalancet personally preferred to be near the English, he 
made his permanent royal residence on the charming island of 
Wickassee, afterwards known as Tyng's Island which the 
Country Club now owns. And indeed this island was most fitly 
framed by Nature to be a royal residence for the Indian Chief 
and his people. Its rich and fertile lands brought forth abundant 
crops. In the deep pools below Wickassee Falls, were shoals of 
fish, and the Merrimack river surrounding and reaching far be- 
yond and below the island, was a splendid water-road for the 
gayly bedecked Indians who paddled swiftly up and down its 
noble surface in their birch bark canoes. And there can be 
given no stronger proof of the high principles and goodness that 
constantly actuated Wannalancet, than the fact that he voluntarily 
sold his beautiful home — Wickassee Island, to the English, to 
release his brother from prison where he had been placed by the 

85 



The Story of Wannalancet 

colonists for debt. After a few years of wandering, Wannalancet 
was able to redeem his home and it became again his royal 
residence. 

But, by this time, it was only a remnant of the once power- 
ful tribe of the Merrimack Valley Indians that remained. A 
severe sickness called the plague had wrought sad havoc among 
the Indians, and the depredations of their enemies, the Mohawks 
and Tarratines, had thinned their ranks. The power and glory 
of this once great and war-like tribe were fading away. 

In 1675, there was a general uprising of Indians in all 
the colonies against the English, known as King Phillip's War, 
and King Phillip sent messengers to the Merrimack Valley 
Indians, urging them to unite with him in exterminating the 
colonists, but Wannalancet and his people remained firm and 
loyal friends to the white settlers, and that there were but few 
and slight attacks made upon the settlements in this section of 
the country, was due to the friendship of Wannalancet, who 
warned them of the approach of the enemy. But his friendship 
was not rewarded with gratitude. Many of the white settlers 
distrusted and abused him and his followers, but Wannalancet 
never faltered in his kindly purpose towards them, or betrayed 
those whom he called his friends. 

But finally, the Merrimack Valley Indians suffered so 
much from the attacks of the hostile tribes and the molestations 
of the suspicious colonists, that they left their fertile corn fields 
and familiar fishing spots, and went into the wilderness where 
they spent the winter of 1675-6, around the head waters of the 
Connecticut. They suffered extremely from the ice and cold 
during this season, having no shelter but the thickets, and great 
scarcity of food. 

Meanwhile, the white settlers in the Merrimack Valley to 
whom Wannalancet had been always faithful, destroyed the 
former settlements of the Indians, burning their wigwams and 



86 



The Story of Wannalancet 

carrying away their stores of dried fish and corn. Yet in spite 
of all the persecutions and ill-usage practised on him and his 
people by the vicious element among the colonists, Wannalancet 
never failed in his loyalty to them, and at the close of King 
Phillip's War, nearly all of his lands having been confiscated by 
the General Court, he and what was left of his tribe returned to 
Wickassee Island and were placed under the guardianship of 
Colonel Jonathan Tyng, whose large plantation was on the shore 
almost opposite the island. The condition of the Indians at this 
time was most pitiful. John Eliot records that "the colonists had 
ploughed and sown all the lands belonging to the Red Men and 
they had little corn to subsist by." 

After stopping on Wickassee Island but a little while, 
Wannalancet and his people wandered through New England 
to Canada, but they ever carried in their hearts the memory of 
their beloved Pawtucket, and in time, they returned again to the 
Merrimack Valley to re-visit their once happy homes. A deed 
is on record, showing that Wannalancet, on his return to the 
colonies, gave up all the lands that now remained to him, to the 
English, and homeless and landless, Wannalancet and his fol- 
lowers again wandered back to Canada and joined the St. 
Francis Indians among whom they lived six years. 

Wannalancet would probably have ended his days 
there, but in 1692, at the time of King William's War, the English 
settlers around Pawtucket, in the neighboring towns of Dunstable 
and Chelmsford, remembered the friendship of Wannalancet to 
the whites in times past, and, believing that they would be safer 
and more secure with him among them once more, to stand 
between them and the hostile Indians, sent messengers to 
Canada and besought Wannalancet to come back to Massa- 
chusetts to assist them. Wannalancet returned with the 
messengers and as long as the Indian troubles lasted was con- 
stant in his service and loyalty to the whites in this district. 

87 



The Story of Wannalancet 

But years were beginning to bring feebleness and in- 
firmities to the old chief. Nearly all of his old friends were 
gone; his kindred were scattered; his home was lost. Yet in 
his old age he was not quite forgotten, for he found a shelter 
and a home in the Old Tyng Mansion, and a firm friend in 
Colonel Jonathan Tyng who endeavored to repay some of the 
kindnesses manifested by Wannalancet to the English settlers. 
Here, the old Indian Sachem passed the last four years of his 
life: — in pleasant weather, sitting for hours at a time in the 
shadow of the large boulder, which rested in the grounds facing 
the Tyng House, gazing at the Merrimack river on whose 
bosom he had spent such happy seasons, or over at Wickassee 
Island, the home for so many years of his race. What pathetic 
memories must have assailed the old chief, as the last of his 
immediate race in this region, he looked upon this spot! Fancy 
wonders if he ever re-visited his former homes, and, as he stood 
where once the camp-fires burned, did his heart yearn for mother, 
wife, or child ! Or did his memory turn to his home in his 
father's lodge when his sister, the beautiful Weetamoo shared 
with him in the joys of the hunter's life, and did his heart grow 
young again as he re-called the great festivities of his tribe on 
the day that Weetamoo wedded the powerful Saugus sachem? 

In the lonely winter evenings of these four last years of 
the old chief's life, we may picture Colonel Tyng and Wanna- 
lancet sitting by the fire-side, talking of their early experiences 
in this almost wilderness — for, to both, was the country dear ; the 
solitude, the mournful pines, the blue river, and the arching sky 
over all. And at length Wannalancet died and was buried in 
the Old Tyng Cemetery, where lies Hon. Edward Tyng and his 
wife Lady Mary, and their faithful body-servants. 

A few years ago the society of Colonial Dames of 
Massachusetts visited the Old Tyng House in Tyngsborough 
and on the boulder so dear to Wannalancet, placed a tablet with 




THE OLD TYNG HOUSE 



The Story of Wannalancet 

this inscription : "In this place, lived during his last years, and 
died in 1696, Wannalancet, last Sachem of the Merrimack River 
Indians ; Son of Passaconnaway. Like his father, a faithful 
friend of the early New England Colonists." 

Rev. Dr. J. M. Greene, pastor-emeritus of the Eliot Con- 
gregational Church of Lowell used these words at the dedication 
of the "Boulder:" "Glad am I that we have a monument 
erected to the memory of Wannalancet. His tribe and his race 
have disappeared and it is most seemly that the descendants of 
those whom he befriended should preserve his name and defend 
his character. We are told that the righteous shall be in ever- 
lasting remembrance and I believe the good, the faithful, and 
conscientious Wannalancet was on earth, and is in Heaven, 
among the righteous." 

When we think of Lowell as it is at present, an immense 
manufacturing city, with a population contributed from all 
nations of the world, we feel that the words of Passaconnaway 
spoken to his people nearly two hundred and fifty years ago, 
have, indeed, come true: "The pale faces shall live upon your 
hunting grounds and make their villages upon your fishing 
places." 

And is it not wise to turn aside from the busy life of 
today and give a thought to the earliest inhabitants of this 
district, the Red Men, who spent happy hours along the banks 
of our beautiful streams, the Merrimack and the Musketaquid, 
who planted, and fished, and hunted, who lived, and loved, and 
suffered, on the very places now occupied by our homes and our 
industries. 

As the memory of Wannalancet is so closely connected 
with the Old Tyng Mansion, a sketch of the house in which he 
spent the last years of his life may be of some interest. 

It is situated but a few rods above the entrance to the 
Country Club, on the road from North Chelmsford to Tyngs- 

89 



The Story of Wannalancet 

borough. The Old Tyng House, afterwards known as the Drake 
House, was built by Colonel Jonathan Tyng about 1674, and at 
that time was the most northerly house in the Massachusetts 
Colony. It was indeed a perfect type of the early colonial 
mansions and was surrounded by hundreds of acres of land, 
which, according to early custom, was cultivated by slaves, and 
even today, the slave pens in the spacious attics where refractory 
slaves were confined, may be seen by curious visitors, and 
the slave bell which summoned the slaves from their labors, is 
still hanging in the tower of one of the out-buildings. 

During King Philip's War, the mansion was used as a 
Garrison House and while other white settlers of Dunstable and 
Tyngsborough fled to Boston for safety, Colonel Tyng remained 
in his home, which from its sightly location, was indeed a 
watch-tower for the district. 

Besides its military history, the Old Tyng House has a 
romance, for there, a village beauty, named Judith Thomp- 
son met a tragic fate. Being on a lengthy visit to the Tyng 
Mansion, Judith loved, "not wisely but too well," the heir to the 
estate, John Alford Tyng, and tradition says that when young 
Tyng wearied of her beauty, he smothered both her and her 
infant child with his own hands. From that moment their spirits 
never left him; they drove him from his ancestral home to a 
new one which he had built nearby ; and the old residents of 
Tyngsborough still tell of the glimpses they have seen of the 
young girl and her child, gliding ghost-like among the trees of 
the old plantation. 

The Old Tyng House has entertained many notable 
visitors, among them being George Whitefield the famous English 
Methodist Divine, and from the boulder beneath whose shadow 
Wannalancet had passed so many hours, he preached the glad 
tidings of peace and good will. 

90 



The Story of Wannalancet 

Hannah Dustin also passed a night at this house; after 
escaping from the Indian camp at Pennacook and bearing her 
ghastly cargo of Indian scalps, she was paddling down the 
Merrimack river in a canoe to her old home at Haverhill, when 
reaching the Tyng House, exhausted with hunger and fatigue, 
she begged for rest and shelter and was warmly welcomed. 

The Old Tyng House is replete with local interest, but 
both tradition and memory ever more link in historic tales 
the old house and the name of Wannalancet, and one wonders 
if sometimes the wraith of the old Sachem ever re-visits this 
spot so dear to him, or in some spirit-built craft glides along 
the bosom of his beloved Merrimack, or peradventure sits 
enthroned in royal estate on the beautiful and poetic Wickassee 
Island. 



9i 



Col. Marie Louis Amand Ansart 
De Marisquelles. 




COL. \IARIK LOUIS AMAND ANSART DE MARISQUELLES 



Col. Marie Louis Amand Ansart 
De Marisquelles 



A French Officer of Distinction in the 
Revolutionary War 



In reviving the early memories and in studying the past 
of New England, one often meets with facts and traditions most 
fascinating and interesting to the student of history, and surely, 
no modern romance can compare in adventure with the actual 
life and deeds of the subject of this sketch — Col. Marie Louis 
Amand Ansart De Marisquelles. 

In the old Woodbine Cemetery in Dracut, Massachusetts, 
is an ancient headstone with this inscription : Erected in memory 
of Col. Louis Ansart who departed this life May 22, A. D., 1804, 
se 62. 

Col. Ansart was a native of France ; he arrived in this 
country in 1776 and by the authorities of Massachusetts was im- 
mediately appointed Colonel of Artillery and Inspector General 
of the Foundries in which capacity he served until the close of the 
war of the Revolution. 

Marie Louis Amand Ansart De Marisquelles was born in 
France in 1742, probably in the province of Arras. According to 
family records, he was of noble birth, his father bearing the rank 
of Marquis. He was one of a number of children, having at 
least one brother and two sisters. His brother being the elder, 
would by the law of France, have inherited the title of Marquis. 
Marie Louis De Marisquelles had also powerful and wealthy rel- 
atives, one of them the Marquis of Montalembert, living in An- 
gouleme, and although of great estate, was devoted to the study 
of case-mates, of fortifications and of artillery in general, and 
was a noted French Engineer. 

97 



Col. De Marisquelles 

Our hero lived the life of the youth of noble family in 
those times. At a proper age, he entered a military academy 
where fencing, horsemanship, sword exercise and quieter studies 
filled his days ; this academy admitted only boys of noble rank 
and was the one in which Louis XVI and the young Marquis de 
Lafayette were fitted for their duties in the great world, and it 
is most interesting to relate, that according to family tradition, 
these three graduates of this academy were, in maturer life warm 
and loyal friends. De Marisquelles was very proficient in his 
studies, both classical and military, and at the early age of four- 
teen, his father purchased for him a Lieutenant's commission, and 
thus he entered upon the military service of his native country. 
When he reached manhood, Marie Louis De Marisquelles was 
versed in all the manly arts of the day, a favorite at the French 
Court, at one time a member of the King's body guard, debonair, 
handsome and fascinating, the possessor of a generous income 
from his father, who besides his landed property, had amassed 
considerable wealth as conjointly with his relative, the Marquis 
of Montalembert, he had furnished for many years all the iron 
cannon in the service of the French King. Like all young men 
of his age and rank, De Marisquelles led the life of the time, 
somewhat gay, addicted to high play, and not averse to settling 
a dispute by the then noble art of duelling. Travelled, accom- 
plished, brave and daring, he was a favorite everywhere, yet 
sometimes his high spirit led to unpleasant consequences. An 
adventure of his youth is thus related by one of his descendants : 
During a public entertainment held in Paris, Lieutenant De 
Marisquelles occupied a box in the amphitheatre accompanied by 
his lady and chaperon. A French Noble, somewhat overcome 
with wine, intruded into the box occupied by De Marisquelles, 
and insisted on remaining there despite the remonstrances of the 
Lieutenant, finally becoming exceedingly insolent. De Maris- 
quelles then seized him bodily, bore him to the front of the box 

98 



Col. De Marisquelles 

and pitched him over very unceremoniously into the audience 
below. The offended French nobleman being of great influence, 
succeeded in having Lieutenant Marisquelles arrested for this 
offence, but he was imprisoned only a short time and finally lib- 
erated without trial. 

An adventure of his while travelling in Italy is somewhat 
sensational in nature but throws light on the life of that day. 
Lieutenant De Marisquelles had been playing for high stakes at 
a gambling resort in a certain city in Italy and had been very 
successful, winning money, gold, watches and diamonds until he 
was heavily laden, but as he was driving to his hotel that night, 
his postillion was shot and his carriage stopped, and De Maris- 
quelles received a blow on his head that stunned him. When he 
recovered consciousness he found himself lying by the road side, 
half stripped, robbed of all his valuables, and suffering from a 
dirk-knife wound in his side ; he was carried to his hotel and after 
a severe illness, was glad to leave the Italian city. 

In his youth Lieutenant De Marisquelles was of a pecu- 
liarly fair complexion, tall and slender, with particularly delicate 
hands, and this rather feminine style of beauty sometimes de- 
ceived strangers, as to his bravery. Being at one time insulted 
at some public event in France, young De Marisquelles promptly 
challenged his insulter to defend himself with his sword, but his 
opponent refused the challenge, stating that he never fought with 
"girls," meaning to cast a slur on the fair looks and immaculate 
appearance of De Marisquelles. Tradition says that the Lieu- 
tenant, exasperated beyond control, drew his sword and made 
such lightning like passes around his opponent, barely touching 
him, and yet with every touch drawing blood, that his adversary, 
after apologizing, ignominiously retreated. 

It must not be thought by these incidents of adventure, 
that De Marisquelles led a frivolous or effeminate life. For 
many years now, he had been associated with his father and the 

99 



Col. De Marisquelles 

Marquis Montalembert in the Forges of Frances and had become 
a skilful and noted Military Engineer; had gained the rank 
of Captain of Infantry, and it is said that his sound advice and 
good sense were much appreciated at the French Court and were 
of great value to Louis XVI in his unhappy reign. 

During the struggle of the American Colonies with Great 
Britain, the eyes of France were turned with great interest to- 
wards our shores and the conflict became an absorbing topic in 
that country. None there were more sympathetic in their 
feelings towards us than Marie Louis Amand Ansart De Maris- 
quelles, and he finally determined to offer his services to the strug- 
gling Colonies. Tradition states that he accompanied Lafay- 
ette to this country as aid, but the records show that his arrival 
antedated Lafayette's by a year. The friendship between these 
two Frenchmen was very strong and probably this intimacy gave 
rise to the tradition. Captain De Marisquelles came to America 
in 1776, bringing credentials from high officials in his native land 
in regard to his skill in the Forges of France and the casting of 
solid cannon. De Marisquelles at once made the following pro- 
posal to the General Court of Massachusetts, of which proposal 
the following is an exact copy from the Court Records of the 
State House, Boston : 

Monday, Dec. 9th, 1776, Present in Council, Honb'le 

James Bowdoin John Taylor 

Jeremiah Sever Benja. White 

Caleb Cushing William Phillips 

Benja. Chadbourne Benja. Austin 

Thomas Cushing Henry Gardner 

Benja. Lincoln Daniel Davis 

Samuel Holton Davis Sewall 

Jabez Fisher, Esq. Daniel Hopkins 
Francis Dana, Esq. 



100 



Col. De Marisquelles 

Proposal of Monsieur De Marisquelles, viz : Marie Louis Amand 
Ansart De Marisquelles, an old Captain of Infantry, having been 
brought up in the Forges of Frances (his father and the Marquis 
of Montalembert, his relative having furnished for many years 
all the iron cannon in the service of the French King) proposes 
to the Honb'le Council and House of Representatives to establish 
Furnaces in the State of Massachusetts Bay, upon account of the 
government, for the purpose of furnishing the State with all such 
Iron Cannon as they may need. He has some particular methods 
of softening the iron by a mixture of ores and minerals ; and also 
of casting the Cannon solid and boring the same by which means 
they are rendered massey and yet stronger than others cast with 
a Cylinder. Formerly all Cannon were cast with a Cylinder 
which always occasioned many little Holes or Cavities in the 
Pieces and which frequently occasioned their bursting. His father 
having observed how prejudicial these Cavities were to the Ser- 
vice of the Artillery, he, in the year 1750, cast many solid cannon 
and found them superior to those cast with a Cylinder; and at 
present, no other but solid Cannon are cast in the Forges of 
France. His Father is the inventor of the machine which is used 
for boring said cannon ; and with it, a twenty-four pounder may 
be bored, polished and the spruce cut off in twenty four hours. 

If the State will furnish the Land, Buildings, Machines, 
and every necessary material for the purposes, and cannon, he 
will construct the Furnaces and superintend and direct the Build- 
ings and everything relating to the said Foundry, which if ready 
and the mills prepared for Boring, he will then furnish one Can- 
non ready for Service every twenty four Hours out of the com- 
mon Iron ore within this State, it being understood that he 
should have cast a few before-hand to give them time to cool. 
The Calibre or Bore of the Cannon will depend upon the large- 
ness of the Furnaces. He will prove his cannon before Com- 
missaries appointed by the State. He will disclose at any time 



Col. De Marisquelles 

all his knowledge in the premises, to any such persons as the 
State may Order and to no others. And if he does not fulfill 
the whole promised on his part, in these proposals (unavoidable 
casualties excepted) he agrees not only to forfeit all claim to any 
thing, by virute of these presents, but also to forfeit the sum of 
One Thousand pounds to satisfy the damages the State may sus- 
tain thro' his failure in fulfilling his Proposals aforesaid. He 
expects from the State to receive three hundred Dollars in hand 
to compensate the expenses he has been at in removing from 
Europe to this State ; and also One Thousand Dollars yearly from 
and after the date hereof, until the end of the present War be- 
tween Great Britain and the United States of America; and after 
that time the Sum of Six Hundred Sixty Six and two thirds 
Dollars, yearly during his life. He, doing and performing his 
part in all respects as aforesaid. He also expects the honor of 
a Colonel's Commission to give him Rank but without any com- 
mand or pay in virtue of said Commission. Witness his hand 
at Boston, December 6th, 1776. 

DE MARISQUELLES 

Signed by the above mentioned Mons'r De Marisquelles 
after being fully interpreted to him in the presence of James Price. 
Boston, December 7th, 1776. 

We the Subscribers, being a Committee of the Honb'le 
House of Representatives, appointed to agree with the aforemen- 
tioned Monsieur De Marisquelles, Do, in behalf of Honb'le House 
agree to the foregoing Proposals. 

Palmer Committee 

N. Cushing Of The House 

State of Massachusetts Bay. 

In the House of Representatives, Dec. 7th, 1776. The 
aforegoing Agreement being read, the same was approved of, 

Sent up for concurrence 

SAMUEL FREEMAN, 

Speaker P. T. 



Col. De Marisquelles 

In Council, December 9th, 1776. 

Read and concurred 

JOHN AVERY, Day Sec. 
Consented to by 15 of the Council. 

Besides the title of Colonel of Artillery granted him by 
the Council, De Marisquelles was appointed Inspector General of 
the Foundries of Massachusetts. He built his Furnaces for the 
casting of solid cannon in different towns in this State, Bridge- 
water, Titticut and Stoughtonham, each containing one, and it is 
said that some of his cannon and mortars are yet in existence, 
and are still serviceable and valuable. One of the cannon in- 
scribed with his name is to be found in Cambridge. In 1778, 
Admiral d'Estaing asked the General Court for assistance in 
protecting his French Fleet then in Boston Harbor, and Colonel 
De Marisquelles was sent to his relief and aid, as the following 
Order from the Council will testify: 

Monday morning, August 31, 1778, five o'clock. 
Present in Council, 
Hon'ble Jeremiah Powell 

Artemas Ward 

Walter Spinner 

Jedediah Preble 

Thomas dishing 

Benj'a White, Registrer 

Benj'a Austin 

Henry Gardner 

Nathan dishing 

Joseph Simpson 

John Pitts 

Oliver Wendall, Esq. 

Whereas Vice Admiral Count de 'Estaing has requested 
that this Board would appoint an officer to direct and oversee the 

103 



Col. De Marisquelles 

erecting certain works which he thinks necessary to be thrown 
up in order to secure his ships now in Nantasket Road, against 
the enemies fleet supposed to be in this bay. Therefore Louis 
De Marisquelles, Colonel of Artillery and Inspector of the gene- 
ral foundries of this State, is hereby appointed an Engineer to 
oversee and direct in the erecting such works as Vice Admiral 
Count de 'Estaing shall think necessary to have thrown up, for 
the purpose of securing the ships under his command in Nantas- 
ket Road. And Colonel De Marisquelles will repair to Vice 
Admiral Count de 'Estaing without loss of time and know his 
pleasure on the premises and follow his orders 'till the works 
aforesaid are finished. Whereas the Count de 'Estaing has pro- 
posed to throw up some works upon Hull, Point Alderton,* the 
head of Long Island, and another Hill, near the places above 
mentioned for the defence of this Harbor, as well as the fleet 
under his command, Provided he can be supplied with a number 
of Spades and Pick Axes, and also a quantity of Timber and 
Plank for platforms. Ordered that the Board of War supply 
Colonel De Marisquelles (who is appointed to oversee this busi- 
ness) with such a number of Spades and Pick Axes as he may 
think necessary and also with such a number of suitable boats as 
may be wanted for the transportation of Cannon, Timber, and 
Plank, for the purpose aforesaid, and it is further ordered that 
the Committee for fortifying the Harbor of Boston, also supply 
Colonel De Marisquelles with such a quantity of Timber and 
Plank as he may have occasion for, for the business aforesaid, 
out of the Plank and Timber they have provided for Castle 
Island." 

In the same year 1778, troops were sent from Massachu- 
setts to Newport, Rhode Island, to assist Gen. Sullivan in forcing 
the British to leave that State. Colonel Louis Ansart De Maris- 
quelles was appointed aid-de-camp to General Sullivan who was 

*Allerton 

IO4 



Col. De Marisquelles 

in command of the x\merican forces. General James Mitchell 
Varnum came from the Continental Army in Rhode Island with 
his brigade to assist in the undertaking - , and, to the great joy of 
De Marisquelles, the Marquis de Lafayette came from the 
American Camp to help in this expedition. Aid was also ex- 
pected from the fleet of d'Estaing, but a violent storm, both on 
sea and land defeated the whole enterprise. This attempt of 
General Sullivan cannot be considered a success, and De Maris- 
quelles suffered severely, personally, he having been seriously 
wounded during an assault on the British forces. 

During this expedition against the British in Rhode Island, 
De Marisquelles met, probably for the first time, General James 
Mitchell Varnum, of Dracut, and a sincere friendship was formed 
between them, enduring through the brief life of the gallant 
General Varnum, but this is not thought to have been the first 
meeting between the Marquis de Lafayette and De Marisquelles 
in America, as tradition claims that the two noble Frenchmen 
had made opportunities to see each other previously. Soon after 
the return of Colonel De Marisquelles to Boston, Lafayette 
visited him there, while on a political mission to that city, under 
permission of Congress. 

There is a sad little love story connected with the memory 
of the gallant Frenchman, whether true or false, I know not. It 
is to the effect that when De Marisquelles sailed from France he 
left behind him, a sorrowing demoiselle for whose sake he went 
forth to gain additional fame and glory ; her letters followed him 
here, but there were but few to translate a French address, and. 
so many of her messages were never delivered to her lover. 
He, hurt and offended at her supposed silence, sent no word 
across the water, and the fair demoiselle faded away, happy in 
her belief in her hero, but mourning him as dead in "savage 
America." But whatever the authority of this tradition, it is a 
fact that De Marisquelles fell passionately in love with, and mar- 

105 



Col. De Marisquelles 

ried a Miss Wimble, the daughter of Captain William Wimble 
of Boston, about the year 1778. The Wimble family occupied 
a high social position in Boston and held large grants of land 
from the government in the South ; it is said that Wilmington, 
North Carolina is built on a section of the Wimble property. 

The married happiness of De Marisquelles was short, as 
his bride died within a twelve-month of the wedding. 

"Ah, life is brief, though love be long 
The altar and the bier, 
The burial hymn and bridal song 
Were both in one short year." 

The lost bride of De Marisquelles had a younger sister 
who resembled her greatly, being very beautiful. When the 
year of mourning had elapsed, De Marisquelles proposed mar- 
riage to the fair Catherine, then a girl of eighteen, who accepted 
him gladly, being very much fascinated with the handsome high- 
bred officer, although he was twice her age, and they were mar- 
ried September 9, 1781. After his marriage to Miss Catherine 
Wimble, De Marisquelles resided for a while in Boston, probably 
at the Wimble homestead where his two oldest children, Robert 
and Louis were born, and he made that city his home until the 
close of the Revolutionary War and the signing of the treaty in 
Paris in 1783. About the year 1784, De Marisquelles re- 
moved to Dracut, Massachusetts, occupying the farm styled "The 
Ministree," formerly the home of Rev. Thomas Parker, the first 
Minister of Dracut, situated on the "Old Ferry Road," off 
from what is now Varnum Avenue, and nearly opposite the "Old 
Middlesex Tavern" across the river. De Marisquelles had been 
influenced in his choice of a home by several motives : a lover of 
the beauties of Nature, on one of his rides through the country, 
he had remarked the loveliness of the Merrimack River, bordered 
by the green fields of Dracut, and his interest in the town had 
been stimulated through his friendship with James Mitchell Var- 

106 



Col. De Marisquelles 

num, a native of Dracut. An ardent sportsman, De Marisquelles 
had discovered that the Merrimack was alive with salmon, and 
he recalled the advice of his father, the Marquis, who on his son 
Louis leaving France, advised him if he settled in a new country, 
to choose a home near some large river as then he need never 
starve. And so, to this quiet country home, came the gallant 
officer, the travelled gentleman, the one-time favorite at the 
French Court, and began life anew under strangely different 
environments, but the new conditions had their compensating at- 
tractions. De Marisquelles was attached to his young American 
wife and the children that came to them. She bore him twelve 
in all, five sons and seven daughters, ten of them being born in 
the "Old Ministree" which De Marisquelles made his permanent 
home, the remainder of his days. De Marisquelles held the office 
of Inspector General of the Foundries of Massachusetts for his 
life, and although the duties incumbent on his position were 
merely nominal after the close of the Revolutionary War, the 
office kept De Marisquelles in touch with military affairs and 
military men. 

The Hamblett, or, as it was afterwards called the Ansart 
Ferry, was almost at his door, and De Marisquelles could easily 
join in whatever festivities were held in the then famous Middle- 
sex Tavern, for, in those days it was a general stopping place for 
travellers to and from Boston, and the entertainments there were 
said to be of a lively nature ; or, by the use of the stage which ran 
from the tavern he could attend the more formal functions among 
his friends in the stately city of Boston or in the larger world 
beyond. 

"Yet still in gay and careless ease 

In harvest field or dance, 

He brought the gentle courtesies, 

The nameless grace of France." 

And his old friends across the ocean did not forget him. 
In 1784, when Lafayette re-visited America, he was a guest for 

107 



Col. De Marisquelles 

a day at the home of De Marisquelles in Dracut. A descendant 
of the family has told me that his grandfather* used often to 
speak of this visit of Lafayette to his father, De Marisquelles. 
The Marquis came from Boston with coach and four, outriders 
and footmen, and crossed over on the "Old Ferry" to the Dracut 
shore. One pleasant afternoon, not long ago, I walked up the 
green and grassy lane through which Lafayette had passed over 
a hundred years ago, and I tried to picture the meeting of those 
two old friends, on the spot where I then stood — the stately Mar- 
quis in the dress of his rank and age, velvet suit, long silk stock- 
ings, and shoes with silver buckles, and the no less courtly host, 
but, perhaps in plainer garb. As Nature is the same today 
on this bank of the Merrimack, as long ago; the lovely winding 
river at our feet, the wide-spreading velvety fields, and the bril- 
liant blue sky over all — it seemed as if Time swept the years 
away, and I stood, in truth, a witness to the meeting. 

De Marisquelles made three trips to France during his 
married life, to renew old friendships and see his own kindred, 
two of his sisters in France being especially dear to him, and con- 
stant correspondents of his. On one of his return trips, De 
Marisquelles brought with him some young mulberry trees, in- 
tending to engage in the raising of silk-worms, but the New Eng- 
land east winds were fatal to this enterprise, although the trees 
grew to great stature. 

A descendant of Colonel De Marisquelles relates that her 
grandfather also brought from France at one time, seven im- 
mense chests filled with the richest silks, rarest laces, and mag- 
nificent brocades that were manufactured in France. De Maris- 
quelles intended to realize some profit by introducing these goods 
into America, but the war had decreased the revenue of the 
Americans, so that but few of them were sold, and the goods 
that were not given away were used to a great degree in the 

*Atis Ansart 

108 



Col. De Marisquelles 

family of De Marisquelles ; my informant telling me that her 
grandmother had at one time nineteen silk gowns of different 
tints and fabrics. 

De Marisquelles was in France when his dear friend and 
patron, Louis XVI was arrested and imprisoned, the first steps 
towards the fatal guillotine, by which he suffered in January, 
1793. Whether any of the noble relatives of De Marisquelles 
were victims to the same fate is a matter of uncertainty, but, 
surely during the Revolution in France, that country was a very 
unsafe abiding place for the nobility. Six months after the de- 
capitation of Louis XVI, De Marisquelles announced his inten- 
tion to apply for an act of naturalization and become an American 
citizen. I am told that he did not make this decision until after 
the death of his father, so it is probable that his father's death 
occurred about the time of the execution of Louis XVI. At the 
same time that De Marisquelles made application for the act of 
naturalization, he also petitioned that the Legislature give him 
permission to omit the addition of De Marisquelles to his name 
and that he should be known as Louis Ansart. That these peti- 
tions were granted the following document will testify: 

"Louis Ansart De Marisquelles — Petition. To the Honbl'e 
Senate and House of Representatives in General Court As- 
sembled. 

Humbly sheweth that Louis Ansart De Marisquelles has 
been in America ever since the second year of the War between 
Great Britain and the United States of America and has been a 
resident of this Commonwealth ****** 

That he is about to make Application to a Law Court, 
agreeable to a Law of the United States, for an Act of Naturali- 
zation, and being desirous of being naturalized by the name of 
Louis Ansart which is his Christian and Family Name. He 
prays your Honors to pass an Act authorizing him to omit the 



109 



Col. De Marisquelles 

addition of De Marisquelles, and that in future to be known by 
the name of Louis Ansart and as in duty bound shall ever pray. 

June ist, 1793. LOUIS ANSART DE MARISQUELLES 



"Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 

In the year of our Lord, 1793. An Act authorizing Louis 
Ansart De Marisquelles to omit the addition of De Marisquelles 
and be called and known by the name of Louis Ansart * * * 

Whereas Louis Ansart De Marisquelles of Dracut, in the 
County of Middlesex has petitioned this Court, praying that he 
may be authorized to omit the addition of De Marisquelles and 
that he may be called and known by the name of Louis Ansart 
which are his Christian and Family name. 

Be it therefore enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives in General Court assembled and by the authority of 
the same, that said Louis Ansart De Marisquelles be, and he 
hereby is allowed and authorized to omit the said addition of De 
Marisquelles and that he be hereafter called and known by the 
name of Louis Ansart. 

In Senate June 3d, 1793. This bill having had two 
several readings, passed to be engrossed. 
Sent down for concurrence. 

SAMUEL PHILLIPS, 

Pres'd 

In the House of Representatives, June 4, 1793. 
This bill having had three several readings passed on con- 
currence to be engrossed. 

Sent up for concurrence. 

EDWARD A. ROBBINS, 

Speaker 



Col. De Marisquelles 

In Senate, June 4, 1793. 
Read and concurred. 

SAMUEL PHILLIPS, 

President 

During his residence in Dracut, Colonel Ansart, as he must 
now be called, was interested in all that pertained to the welfare 
of his adopted town. His name is found as one of the first pro- 
prietors of the early Toll Bridge over the Merrimack River at 
Pawtucket Falls, and records are found that show that he was 
active in the founding of school and church in Dracut. With 
his government income and inherited wealth, Colonel Ansart 
dwelt in excellent style for those days. He kept servants both 
white and colored, importing a French cook for his own domestic 
service, and drove in a sulky with a span of fine horses. It is 
said that his was the first sulky owned in Dracut. Colonel An- 
sart spent money so freely, that except the acres of land which at 
different times he purchased to increase his farm that extended 
far along the "Old River Meadow Road," we can find no records 
that he amassed any property. 

In appearance, Colonel Ansart was a very handsome man, 
with his fair complexion and brilliant blue eyes, standing six feet 
high and weighing 200 pounds. I have seen a photograph taken 
from a painted miniature of him in his later years, that corrobo- 
rates all the traditions of his fine personality. In disposition, as 
was natural from his training and military life, he was stern, 
rigid, and imperious but withal so lovable that he was adored by 
family and servants. 

Colonel Ansart died at the age of sixty-two, and was 
buried in the cemetery which he had apportioned from his farm 
and given to Dracut for the use of the Ansarts, Coburns and 
Varnums, and where after "life's fitful fever," he sleeps as calmly 
on the rugged New England hillside, as if he lay in the ancestral 
tomb in sunny France. 

in 



Col. De Marisquelles 

Owing to the change of name, the memory and grave of 
Colonel Ansart have not received the homage which the French 
government loves to pay to its noblemen who served in the War 
of the Revolution in America, but when our country publishes its 
"Roll of Honor" of those who assisted in securing the Independ- 
ence of the Colonies by the shedding of their blood, or the giving 
of their strength and skill, among those whom his adopted coun- 
try shall delight thus to honor, will be enrolled the name of Col- 
onel Marie Louis Amand Ansart De Marisquelles. 



